How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

My mother convinced me...duh

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

Insurance paid 50%. Now they won't pay for the complications.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

5 days - and great. Lost 25 in hospital. Just brought my deodarant and a good toothbrush.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

Not from the original surgery.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Was great to begin, then had anxiety like crazy the week before. How else did I cope with it - I ate like it was the last supper. Never was taught any other coping skills, nor did anyone tell me that coping skills would be necessary.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

Don't really remember. Sorry

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

None. Didn't really understand the importance. Didn't have groups available. Nor did the surgeon emphasize follow up. Never did a blood test until last October. Don't remember being told I really needed to. In my opinion there needs to be more PRE-op support and mental health therapy. A pre-operative program for mental health, body image, coping skills and strategies, and depression needs to be developed to help with post-op success.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

It was OK to begin with, only about 3 inches. But have had two additional surgeries due to complications. Now its 10" and I have no belly button. Yuck.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Kept all my weight off until I started having frequent blood sugar problems, then gained 30 lbs. Now that I am not eating because of the blood sugar problems it is coming back off.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh heavens yes. That is something that I think pre-op counseling needs to prepare people for. I am more confident, this exhudes sexuality, and men flirt with me more. Nice, but not what I was expecting - nor was my husband. Thank heavens he isn't a jealous man!