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

My regular doctor recommended me for it after not being able to do anything else for me and worried that I wouldn't make it.

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

I am on Medicare and this was a matter of my life, so the doctor did it without the approval and are waiting for the approval now. Without it, I would have died.

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

He gave me hope that this surgery would help and I would have a life. He was very sympathetic and he made me feel like he personally cared about me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was a matter of life or death, last resort thing.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't. The doctor told me.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

I had no fears because I knew without it I would die anyway.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

My whole family and my friends urged me to have this surgery because they were so concerned. They have all rejoiced about every pound that I have lost so far. They all cheer for me! I have never felt so much LOVE!

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

I have been on disability for three years, but my employer has already told me that they would hire me back as soon as my weight permits. It is labor work, so I have to be able to lift and get around.

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

It was a very pleasant experience. The nurses were very prompt in bringing me pain medicine.

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

There were none, only pain which the nurses took care of promptly.

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

I didn't have much time to even think about it because it was done almost immediately.

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

I was in moderate pain but was given pain pills. I took them when only necessary. Steps were hard to climb, and the pureed food wasn't very good. I was happy after this period when I could eat real food.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

15 miles to hospital and about an hour from the doctor for afercare. I am happy to go because I'm no longer afraid to get on the scale.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

I could only eat food that was put in the blender, mashed potatoes, pureed soups; anything that could be put in the blender. Off limits, even now are corn, seeds, peanuts, lettuce so I couldn't have salads. I still do not eat salad, peanuts yet, but I eat everything that the rest of the family eats, but I eat a whole lot less and I just keep on loosing.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

I did some walking and had to climb the stairs, in moderation, to get to the kitchen. I also had to climb the stairs to take a shower each day.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

Multiple vitamin, iron pills, lasic, calcium, potasium, vitamin B12 shot monthly from the doctor.

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

I did have sleep apnea and had to use oxygen, but I sleep a lot better and do not need oxygen anymore.

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

I had to wait all day in the hospital to have the actual surgery because the operating room was so backed up and I had to sit all day in a wheelchair. I got bedsores from this.

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

Support group at Franklin Square Hospital where I had my surgery where I learned a lot of new things I didn't know. It was nice to talk to other people who have had the surgery and really encouraging to see that, after many years, they are still slim.

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

It's looking pretty good for how long it has been since the surgery. I'm sure it will get lighter as the years go on, and it is worth it to get my life back no matter how it looks.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Every pound that I loose makes me feel better and better knowing that I will have a better life.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I do because people do not stare like they used to.