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

I first found out the surgery on TV and called the 800 number. But I never looked at it or gave it another thought. I hate to be cut open for any reason.

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

I had no problem getting approval through AETNA US HEALTHCARE (Ohio). It took about 1 month for approval. My only advice to others, if you have not heard from your insurance company, call them, harass them, daily. Call your doctor and bug them. But if you get a doctor like mine who has a secretary that does all of that for you, then you should have no problem hearing from your insurance soon.

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

Dr. Kligman was great. Honest and straight forward. He answered my questions with honesty. People can get the most from their meetings with the surgeon if they have an open mind. I was scared to death and ready to go home, but I stayed to hear him out. I am glad that I did.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I really want the laproscopic procedure done. I do like the thought of being cut opened. I had a C-Section in 1989 and have one scar,so I do not want another one. I won't mind the tiny hole openings.

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 was not afraid of the complications aspect of it. But being that I am a mom of a 12 year-old boy, dying crossed my mind. The morning of my surgery was the hardest. My son was by my side and we were saying "see ya later" and he began to cry, which made me cry and get upset. I was soooo close to calling the nurse and having the surgery cancelled. But my family reassured me that my son was alright and would be fine. And he was. Now, after just 3 months out, he sees the weight loss and is excited. I am truly glad that I did not cancel this surgery. For those who have fears...TALK! Talk to people who have gone through this already. IT is alright to be nervous.

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 of my family was supportive and others were upset at my choice of this surgery. I wanted my family to have knowledge of what I was planning in case something happened to me. I would not have communicated any differently with my family. Now that I am 3 months out of the surgery my family is seeing the weight "melt" off of me and they are happy and excited for me. Now they are ALL supportive!

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

My supervisor was excited for me and my choice of the surgery. SHe put me in contact with a friend of hers that also had this done. I told my boss of what I was planning on doing and she was truly excited for me. She gave me her support and words of encouragement. I was off of work for 4 weeks (I was on summer break).

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

Well, I was put in the hospital on a Monday. I had a GREENFIELD FILTER installed on a Tuesday and the GASTRIC BYPASS on Wednesday. I was "buggy" and anxious. Typically you go to the hospital the morning of the surgery. I was in the hospital until that Friday (3 days after the bypass). Some things that I brought was magazines to read, crossword book, MY JOURNAL. You don't need a lot of stuff.

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

I had no complications from the surgery. In fact, I am quite pleased with how things worked for me.

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

When I was about 3 weeks post-op I was feeling angery that I had this surgery. I was not able to eat "food" and was not really talking to "adults". Once I went back to work I was better and I feel better daily!

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

WALK.........WALK...........WALK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will do very little if anything at all. I chilled out and did very little (my husband did it all).

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

I only traveled about 20 minutes to the hospital.

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.

The one thing that I truly craved was CHINESSE. That is all that I wanted. So when I was about 7 weeks out I tried Chicken/Brocolli (NOPE!) That came up. About 2 weeks ago I gave it another shot...NOT!! Same thing. Now I am done with Chinesse. I cannot eat Pasta or bread---YUCK!!! I eat Chili, chicken, pork chops, fish, green beans, corn, fruit, soups, yogurt. Not much have I not tried. I tried baked fries...nope! So I am extra cautious as to what I eat.

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

I walked slowly. I would walk down to the end of my driveway the first day. Made it to the end of my street on day 2 around the block on day 4...down to one corner and then to the other corner.

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

I am on TUMS (for calcium), FLINTSTONE M.V(chewable), GAS-X (when needed). That is what I am on now.

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 have had some vomiting, very little dumping and some hair loss. I think that hair loss is the worse part of it. I am 3 months out and still loosing hair.

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

The worst thing about the surgery is never eating like I once was able to. I miss POP, CHINESSE food. But I look at it like this...I could either continue with my life like it was...being overweight and not mobile or I could do something with the surgery and become healthy...I chose to become healthy.

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

The best thing that I have is the monthly support group meeting that my surgeon does. He (along with his wife) meet with past and future patients and talk openly about the surgery and the good and the bad.

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

My scar is minimal. There are 6 port holes. This is what I had hoped for. When I started with this process my BMI was at 68....the day of the surgery my BMI was at 62 (still the highest BMI he has done as a LAP). I am pleased with the scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

NONE!!! Not at this time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have not noticed anything yet, but I will be watching.