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

Scared. I thought about it for 10 years before doing anything about it. It wasn't until I was looking at becoming disabled from all my co morbidities that I took it seriously and did some soul searching and self education. That is where you all came into the picture.

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

I knew from this site that insurance companies did not want to approve this costly procedure. I also read some of the reasons that people were rejected. So I headed the arguments off at the pass, I composed a letter to the insurance company that accompanied the doctors office request for coverage and they gave me the approval after the first submission.

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

My surgeon was understanding from the get go. I cried in his office, not something I planned. But when he said that he thought he could help me, I fell apart. Luckily, being a medical professional myself, I went prepared with a list of questions I assembled before I went into an emotional puddle in the exam room. Do your homework, write down every question you have, even if you think its "dumb".

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was prediabetic, my blood sugars were all over the place! I had high blood pressure and was on medication! I had damaged my knees beyond repair, now I need total knee replacements in both! But worse than all that, I was going to die in my sleep from SEVERE sleep apnea! I loved my job, my husband, my kids and my life. I wasn't prepared to say goodbye to any of it. I was going to die from my fat, so I took my chances with the surgery!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After discussing my plans for surgery I spoke with a GI doctor I knew, my PCP and surgeon plus I did weeks and weeks of research here and elsewhere regarding the different types of surgery and decided what I thought was best for me and the amount of weight I need to lose to regain my health.

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?

As I said before, I KNEW I was going to die from the weight. I also realized I COULD die from the surgery. I am not much of a risk taker in life, I don't gamble and generally go for the safer route. This was a gamble but as I saw it there wasn't much choice! I chose LIFE!

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?

100% behind my decision! I think some people attempted to sabotage some of my weight loss by saying How BAD I looked but reading about this from some of the members here, I knew to ignore it and move on. Which is what I did.

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

3 months for the gastric bypass leave of absence. Employer was incredibly supportive.

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

I didn't think that my medical facility was very supportive of me during my 3 days in the hospital. I almost signed myself out against medical advice because I felt neglected, and ignored. I felt this was due to my large size and since I got myself into this weight problem, the staff shouldn't have to take care of me.

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

I couldn't eat. I had a huge depression. My support group would not leave me alone in my misery and that is why I made it through. They did exactly what I didn't want them to do but exactly what I needed them to do. THey wouldn't let me wallow! God Bless them.

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 regretted my decision for surgery in the first 2 weeks of recouperation. I grieved over the loss of food as my friend and cried at every food commercial on TV especially the Prego commercial where the whole family is eating Pasta! Come on! In retrospect I think this was pretty normal but I am so glad the persistance of my support group and the love and support of my family dragged me kicking and screaming out of the sadness and into the gladness!

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

I was tired and in pain, I couldn't eat, didn't want to eat but needed to eat. My husband was relentless in giving me a teaspoon of food at I time. I was depressed and wanted to be left alone. I wasn't.

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

I had my surgery in my workplace. In my city so it was very convenient.

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.

Cottage cheese and yogurt, fat free, sugar free was the only thing besides ice that I could get down. And only about a teaspoon at a time and sometimes it would take me an hour just to get the teaspoon of food in. I would cry at the thought of having to eat. I had no appetite. I was thirsty all the time but of course couldn't seem to get enought water in to quench my thirst. I still can eat small amounts at a time. And Rice, and chicken remain difficult for me to digest.

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

I was a sloth for about 2 weeks after surgery, then started to ambulate up and down the driveway. 3 months later I was back to work full time.

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

I take Centrum Silver (I'm 55), B complex, vitamin D, CitraCal and I try to eat quality protein.

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 lose some hair but not to baldness. I vomited only occasionally and usually with a new food. I still cannot eat certain things and I still vomit if I eat too much or too fast.

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

Presurgery wait (1 year for me) was very difficult. Physically, the post operative pain and exhaustion and depression were hard but temporary. People still ask me if I would do it again and my answer is an astounding "YES"

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

NEWLOSS

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

I have a large vertical incision scar that goes from my breastbone to my navel.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I didn't have any, I lost weight very fast.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes and I don't really like that the very same people who wouldn't have given me the time of day prior to the surgery now feel like I am in the "inner circle" please!