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

I had been hearing about the surgery for several years and while I was anxious and a little afraid -- my thoughts were that I would rather take my chances with the surgery than to continue on the downward slide into ill health and possible death from stroke or heartattack.

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

When my jobs insurance accepted and I finally had the approval I was a little overwhealmed, but so happy that finally I had a power tool to help me achieve my goals of good health. I would tell other people to hang in there that it's worth the few months of agony, but once approved, it is so worth the wait!

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

My first visit to Dr. Bledsoe was good, uplifting and encouraging. He was very compassionate and kind, and agreed with me about the Roux en Y over the Sleeve --- I liked him immediately and his staff were warm and caring as well.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It wasn't a question of deciding to have the surgery, it was a "NEED" to have the surgery. I just felt that I was eventually going to get very sick and then I would not be able to undergo any kind of surgery because I would be too sick. I NEEDED this surgery to save my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided that the RNY proceedure was the ticket. Mainly because of the diabetes I had -- I had read and studied so many cases where the diabetes in patients having the RNY woke up from surgery with their diabetes gone! I wanted that for me too. And since having the gastric bypass surgery -- my diabetes is gone.

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?

My fear was dying on the operating table... but that was just unnecessary on my part. I knew there were risks but the risks of not doing anything were even greater, so after the initial jitters I was ready. It's only natural to have fears and anxiety, but the concerns you might have you need to bring to your doctor to answer to your satisfaction. If you don't get your questions answered then you look for another surgeon. I read everything I could find and looked at videos on YouTube of other people who'd had had the operation and did my homework. That will go a long way of easing your fears.

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 husband was very supportive as was my family. They all knew how much I wanted and needed this. So once they knew I was committed to going through with the surgery they all got behind me and have been very supportive.

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

My employer was very supportive -- they're going to follow me during my year after surgery. I work for a hospital and I think of myself as spokesperson for bariatric surgery. I took three weeks to recuperate and I was ready to return to work.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

It was a requirement to attend. I had already done so much background homework on the surgery that I felt I knew so much already. But it was good to attend - I saw other people who were in pain like me and were resolute like me. I'm glad I went.

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

I had a very easy time in the hospital. I didn't have much pain afterward and was up on my feet as soon as they told me to get up and move about. The most important thing was my husband - he was with me and it was very important to me to have him by my side. He was the most important thing I had with me.

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

No complications at all.... the only thing I had was back pain from being on the surgery table, but after a few weeks, that faded away and I was fine.

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 went from feeling great to feeling worried and anxious. I was really down for several days prior to the time I began to prep for the surgery, but then all that faded away and I began to feel empowered.

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

I stayed with liquids, started walking as much as I felt like I could handle and just stuck with that routine. The weight is going to come off, you just have to hang in there and follow the post-op rules.