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

I heard about it years ago but thought that it was very brutal and that the person who had the surgery was lazy, and taking the easy way out.

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 ok'ed me on the first try. Howeever, I am finding now as the bills are starting to come in that they don't cover many of the tests and treatments required for the surgery.

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

Fast. Ask lots of questions.Research a lot before going and before deciding to do this. Be educated of all of your options. I had no idea until 3 months after how much was by-passed, etc. KNOW BEFOREHAND! it affects what and how you eat after!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Tired of failing

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

RNY is the most successful and long term.

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 afraid of dying, of choosing to have a life threatening surgery, of the pain. I would say, have the fears, but trust your surgeon and pray a lot!

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

My stay was both good and bad. I stayed in for 5 days. The nursing staff was lazy, slow to respond and rather short- as in terse. There was a huge lack of communication, I felt left alone and confused. Mix-ups with medications, food (was brought sugar laden food when on a NO-sugar diet), etc. I would bring chloraseptic spray for your throat if you are going to have an NG tube (I did not know that I would have one). My throat hurt like crazy with the tube in and after they took it out my throat was still raw. Don't bother bringing much to read, when you are awake, you should be walking! I couldn't concentrate long enough or hard enough to read much. (and I am a literature teacher so, I LOVE to read!)

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

So far no complications. No hibernation, very little vomitting, no "dumping", nothing really.

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 did a lot of "last meals" but did not overeat. Just went to BK, McD's and Dairy Queen for the "last time. I prayed a lot.

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

Yahoo groups, and Obesityhelp.com. The support group at my hospital is a waste of time. I am going to go to another hospital's support group next week and see if it is better. I love the support on the Yahoo boards.

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

It is long and at first was covered with a large red keloid. But it has started healing and the top and bottom are almost invisible now! It was what I expected, but still gross! LOL. It sometimes fills with blood but then it drains back into my body.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Second month out I only lost 7 pounds. Very emotional about it at the time, but now look back at it as a healing time and a time for my body to realize that things had changed FOREVER!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people look me in the eye more often and everyone comments about my weight dropping. (No one knows that I had GPS- only my hubby and my family.) All my friends and co-workers (church people)knows dwell on my weight changes. IT is kind of a neat little secret! LOL