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

I heard about several celebrities that had or were having the surgery (calling it "stomach stapled"). I surfed the net (this site was one of the first I visited serveral months ago when I began this adventure), talked to a friend that was a nurse, read available information. I was VERY excited by the information. The procedure had become extremely safe and was becoming more widely used to treat many of the medical conditions I was (am) suffering from. I just knew this as a solution for me to be able to return to good health.

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

My insurance company, ODS Health Plans, denied my first request for precertification because bariatric surgery, for weight loss and the treatment of morbid obesity is an excluded procedure. I am currently appealing this decision. My husband's insurance, Cigna, approved the surgery within three weeks. I would say this is because the information I provided to the surgeon and the surgeon's medical necessary letter where sufficient to prove medical necessity.

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

My surgeon was great. He was sympathetic, kind and funny. I do wish I had gone in with a list of questions that I had developed over time because I really forgot many of the things I had wanted to asked him (and he would have answered). He did ask me if I had questions and he answered everyone I could remember to ask him. I am developing a list of questions to ask him when I see him for my work up before surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It is really safe. It is a proven method of maintaining long term weight loss.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on the surgeon I wanted by finding him through the bariatric society national registry and reviewing and soliciting comments about him made on websites, such as this one. Then I learned he did two types of procedures and we discussed both of the procedures, the pros and cons of each procedure and arrived at a choice about which procedure was best for me.

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 have more fear of having a stroke or heart attack from being morbidly obese than I've even throught of having over dying from the surgery. It happens, people have died from complications from the surgery. I've read their stories. I remain convinced that the risks are not even within striking distance of the rewards.

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?

Most of my family, especially my daughter who is morbidly obese also, were very interested and excited about it. My husband had initial concerns about the safety of the surgery and the long term repercussions but I believe he is comfortable now with the procedure, and I know he is being very supportive.

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

I've just told a few of the attorneys I work with. They think it's great. I don't expect to be out of work more than two weeks.

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

I was hospitalized 3 days. I got great care. The only problem is they didn't really know where to put me so I was in the cancer ward and almost got moved for the bed space. The food they served was a regular diet rather than liquids or soft foods. That was weird. Of course I couldn't eat any of it.

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

Nope. 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. Exhilarated. I felt like I had a new lease on life, a second chance for good health.

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

I had a little nausea and heartburn. I couldn't eat much at all. It was a struggle to get enough water and protien. The pain wasn't significant. I was tired the first week or two but was back at work after three weeks.

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

About 10 miles.

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 began not able to eat much of anything. I really fought nausea and heartburn (from just about everything). I never did vomit, thank God. I really worked to get all my protien and water the first few months and my capacity was very small, of course. As time went by, I was able to eat more types of food as well as having an increased capacity. I eat pretty much anything now (including sweets and cabonated beverages) and, unfortunately, my capacity has increased significantly. My weight loss has slowed down to just a few pounds a month.

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

Not much. I really wanted only to lay around the first couple of weeks. I went back to work after the third week but I was tired working a full day. Within a month I had lost enough weight that my increased vitality was noticable and I began a regular exercise program (which I have since let slide).

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

Calcium, iron, copper and a multivitamin and mineral supplement.

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?

Nausea and hair loss. The nausea only lasted about 3 weeks, going from significant right after surgery to almost nothing by the end of the third week. The hair loss didn't start until about the 3rd month and lasted through about the 6th month when it peaked. I was very concerned by then that I'd go bald but I didn't and now, at 12 months post op, it's all growing back in.

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

Waiting for the surgery.

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

Just this website. I realize at this moment that I really need to get into some sort of support group because I'm feeling disheartened by the slowing of the weight loss and my doctor's lack of follow up.

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

It's healing nicely. It's probably better than I'd expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm in one right now. I'm pretty sure it's because of my increased capacity for food consumption and letting my exercise program slide.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, but now significantly. I am gratified that I was treated so well at work before surgery and nothing has changed. I really don't feel like I was a victim of discrimination because of my obesity.