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

I had thought about it and started doing some research. At first I was all for it but then I was afraid I would have to miss work and so I just dismissed it because I was financially strapped. I had a friend who had the surgery done and lost a lot of weight and she is now bigger than when she started. I didn't want that to happe to me. That was about 2 years ago. Well, the first of this year I thought about it again and decided to do further research. I really think this it the right thing for me.

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

Well, for me it was the waiting game that drove me nuts. I really didn't do anything. My doctor's office took care of all the paperwork and I just had to wait on that letter.

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

I enjoyed it. Mainly it is just a time for them to examine you and talk to you about whether this is right for you. Make a list of questions to ask no matter how silly they may sound because no question is too silly and you will forget what you wanted to ask before you even get in there!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Just being sick and tired= also being diagnosed with sleep apnea. I have chronic fatigue and I just keep thinking that it will be easier to have a smaller body that weighs less to function with.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Recommended by peers and surgeon

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?

Well, I am not afraid of dying, so that was not a problem for me. The complications to me seem less probable than the co-morbidities I am already experiencing. You just have to weigh the pros and cons and see which means the most to you.

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?

I have not had surgery yet. They are supportive as of now. They really want me to get the weight off. They were very supportive after my surgery. For a while they still harped on me about eating. My mother was always telling me if I was not careful I would gain all the weight back. I think she is over that now.

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

have not told them. I told my sup I was thinking about it and she seemed doubtful. She has heard of bad things related to the surgery.

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

I got to the hospital around 5:30am. They had me change clothes and since I was the first surgery for the day I did not have to wait long. They took me into a holding room and once they put the IV in I don't really remember much after that until I was in recovery. I was there for 3 nights. I just brought a change of clothes and toiletries. Be sure you have someone there to help you get up and down for the bathroom, etc. I was suprised at how much I need my stomach to move around.

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

I had no complications.

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

At first I was afraid that I would be the first weight lost surgery patient that the surgery did not help. After I went to my follow up 10 days later I had lost 17 lbs. This encouraged me a lot. I loved the pintos and cheese from taco bell. It was hard to get around for about a week and I had a lot of fatigue at first, but it passed and things got back to normal for me.

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

I rested a lot. My tummy was sore. As far as pain, it was not that bad. I just focused on learning to eat to accomodate my new tummy.

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

just a couple of miles is all.

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

Walking was so hard for me in the hospital. I did not realize what surgery did to your lungs. Actually I have not been able to excercise like I need to because of a knee injury and chronic fatigue syndrome. I have still experienced wonderful weight loss and am looking forward to getting my knee fixed so I can have some activity.

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

b12, multivitamins, protein drinks- although that has been my biggest struggle.

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, vomiting and hair loss was the worst for me. The nausea/vomiting was directly related to the food I ate, so I just learned what worked and what didn't. I hated seeing my hair fall out. It is fine now. I did not end up with any bald spots or anything.

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

I really can't say. NOthing about it has been a bad experience for me.

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

I have 6 very small scars on my tummy. It is a small price to pay.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am not aware of any plateaus. I do not own a scale and I have not weighed on a normal basis since my surgery.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Well, maybe it is me feeling more confident.