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

I found out about the surgery from my best friend. I was a little scarded for him but I really wanted to go through with it also.

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

It was a nightmare. Know what your insurance will cover before starting out and then continue to say on them until you have received the answers you want. Don't take "NO' for the answer.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was great. He was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions without any problems. you need to write down what you want to ask so you don't forget anything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My best friend was the key to my surgery. He had it done in March 2001 and his results were great and I started the process and had my surgery in Sept. 2001.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance did that for me. They would only pay for the one I had done.

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 really didn't have any fears about the surgery. I'm in the medical field and know I had a better chance of dying from being so overweight then on the surgery table.

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 family thought I was stupid for having it done. I could lose wight without surgery. My friends were great though. They supported me through the entire process and continue to support me now.

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 all for the surgery. I told them the truth and they were really supportive. I was off work for 9 weeks. My surgeon was afraid for me to go back too soon because i am a paramedic and do a lot of lifting in my field of work. I needed to wait until I was completely healed before he would let me go back to work.

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

I stayed in the hospital 4 days. Bringing a good part of walking shoes that you don't have to bend over to get on was good for me. the nurses were great. They seemed to understand what I was going through and helped in anyway they could.

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

No complications at all.

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 was so excited. My surgery was scheduled for Sept. 12, 2001. It was then postponed because of Sept. 11. I was very angry at them causing my surgery to be delayed. I handled this anxiety by putting everything I had into my work of helping others.

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

My only problem after coming home was not being able to lie flat to sleep. I slept in a recliner for the first week or so.

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

I had to drive about 75 miles away. This didn't affect my care at all. the drive was not bad at all.

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 started out with pureed foods. High portein items and still continue to eat high protein. I couldn't eat breads and 9 months out still can't do breads, pasta and rice. It feels too heavy and I feel like I will throw up.

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

Right after surgery I couldn't do a whole lot, but about two weeks out I had an energy level like I never had before and I am running circles around my partners at work now. I can run stairs without getting out of breath and don't need the sleep I had to have before.

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

I am on pre-natals vitamins and my doctor said I should take them the rest of my life. I also eat low-carb, high protein bars because of my very busy job. I don't have a lot of time some days to eat so they help with my protein intake.

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?

The only problem I had and still have is not being able to burp. My doctor wants to do some tests to find out the problem. He says this is not the normal for the surgery. I cope by eating very slowly and not much at a time and no carb. beverages.

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

The worst part was getting my insurance through.

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

I started in a support group but I found it not real helpful. The people in the group seemed very down on themselves and I find that very negative. I'm happy with me and have always been.

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

My scar is from my belly button to the bottom of my sternum. It looks like my c-section scar, just a little longer. I did expect this because I had already seen my best freinds scar. The scar does fade with time and seems to be getting shorter. Maybe because my body is getting smaller.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The only problem I have had to overcome is the fact that I don't think I am any smaller. Although I have nothing that I can wear from before.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, very much so. I turn men's heads for one. Also seems I have gotten smartier. I must have lost fat on the brain too! I don't think it's me being any smartier, I think people just see things differently.