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

Knew about it for a long time, but did not know it was something I would be eligible for. Was very self-judgemental about having surgery rather than "just applying myself" to losing weight

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

High BMI plus diabetes got me approved. I called the insurance company and spoke with someone about their criteria before I even saw the surgeon.

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

I was referred to Dr. Mun by my diabetes doctor, and he was very pleased about that and very cordial. Helped to be able to verbalize realistic expectations for the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

diabetes was increasingly hard to control; felt I was headed toward insulin dependence and was shortening my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Endocrinologist and I discussed; she recommended Roux-en-Y as best procedure to ameliorate Type II diabetes

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?

Benefit from change has to outweigh the fear. No one can tell you how it will go. I just tried to prepare myself mentally for whatever came, and be psychologically prepared.

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?

Lots of support before and after.

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

I only told the big boss, not my immediate supervisor [until after the procedure was done and I was back at work for a week or so]. Big boss was very supportive. I was only out of work for about 8 days, as I had a very easy postoperative course. I would have stayed out longer if necessary; I had filed for a federal Family and Medical Leave Act leave, so I would be protected for the time off[no corrective action or firing allowed by employer for taking sick time]

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

Two nights-- Surgery Wed, discharged Fri. Bring nothing-I did not even read or watch TV. Too tired.

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

None

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

Excited and apprehensive all at the same time. Spent most of my energy in psychological preparation--being aware of thoughts that might come up, such as anger, anxiety, fear, of losing the eating behavior that I used as a coping mechanism for so many years.

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

I had a remarkable benign recovery, very little pain. The Carnation Instant Breakfast gave me the runs, so I switched to fat free yogurt early on, but other than the runs, no problems.

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

I live in the Boston area--tons of hospitals. No significant travel distance.

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 went through the usual trial and error as the food plan progressed. Had a couple of bouts of dumping--in my case, this meant vomiting. Currently, don't do well with -bread or most other puffy baked goods[but can eat crackers, matzoh, flat bread] -potatoes, other than chips, but don't eat those because they are nutrient-poor junk food -chicken, unless cooked to within an inch of its life in liquid and falling off the bone into strings. For some reason, chicken just doesn't agree with me. -carrots, apples, broccoli -hotdogs [but other red meat I can eat, although in very small bites and very slowly]

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

Energy level-both physical and mental-all increased immediately, and have not slacked off since surgery 8 months ago

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

B12, multi vitamin, D, calcium

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?

Hair loss has been a vanity issue. Seems to be slowing now, but my hair is still pretty thin. No dumping as long as I avoid trigger foods. For hair, bought some volumizing shampoo.

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

Had to drink 10 cc of methylene blue the first post-op day. Icky!

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

Finding OH has been really good. Have not participated in anything else so far

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

3 one-inch and two 1/2 inch scars on my belly-no big deal. I don't expect to wear a bikini anytime in my life, so not a problem.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Weight loss has slowed but not stopped. Am trying to increase my activity level to maintain weight loss as I approach moderate obesity

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

And how!