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

I was just in the hospital again in June and one of the nurses had it done. She told me she once weighed over 300 pounds, I realized there may be hope for me. There was a big doubt though because of my other medical problems. I am diabetic as well.

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

Actually, the doctors office wrote a letter. I did have a recomendation from my heart doctor claiming it medically necessary.

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

The doctor was very understanding. This is probably the first doctor who didn't make me feel like a freak or an abnormal person or someone who was disobeying and eating too much. He answered all my questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew the moment I talked with the nurse who had it done that I wanted it no matter what.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

At the first visit with the doctor, he explained that it would be laproscopic.

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?

There is that chance you take with every surgery. I am most concerned about ending up on life support again. Thats when I found out they weren't going to cut me open. I personally don't have much choice about having it done. I am no longer scared and wish the date would be sooner than the Nov. 26th scheduled date.

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?

Some people said I should not even think of doing such a thing. It doesn't matter. I am doing this for me. My sister is almost as anxious as I am. Its all we talk about. They will all see that I made the right decision in a few months when the weight starts to disappear.

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

I had to stay overnight in the special care unit because of the breathing problems I have. There was a nurse at my side throughout the night.

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 felt good about 2 days after the surgery. I was able to be up and walk and in two weeks, I went back to work.

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

I traveled 20 miles to have the surgery.

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.

no red meat chicken, fish and turkey set well. Soups are good and most soft foods set well. Stay away from deer jerkey!!!!!!

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

Returned to work after 2 weeks. Got a different outlook on life almost immediately.

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

5 tiny scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

About every 40 pounds I stopped and then started again to lose. Now at 1 year and 8 months post-op, I have lost 165 pounds.