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

A client of mine told me about it. I originally liked the idea, but it did scare me.

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

Getting this insurance company to say OK was almost impossible. It took 7 months for them to finally say no pre-approval was necessary. I still and not sure what will happen when the bills start rolling in.

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

My first meeting was good. Be sure to write down a question list and ask him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided after my PCP told me she thought it was my only chance to get it off and keep it off.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Deciding what proceedure was not a real problem. Finding a doctor close to home was. OF COURSE ONE THAT DID LAPROSCOPIC PROCEEDURE!!!

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 always have a fear of surgery. I have had many and have had some complications from those surgeries. I am still here and have faith in the doctor and his ability to take care of me. I pray alot!!

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 will be having the surgery on 3/24. I have only told a very few and they do not say much. My husband and mom are highly supportive. I feel is my own personal battle and I did not look for their approval on the proceedure. No one knows what I am going through and I am the only one to make that choise.

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

I am self employed and will not be out of work.

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

1/24/01 - I arrived at St. Peters University Hospital in New Brunswick at 6AM. It took us 1 1/2 hours to drive in. When we got there they were ready for me. They got me in my room and started doing all the preps. They started me at 8AM and I was back in my room by 1PM. All seemed to go well. The hospital staff was good but slow. I was there for 4 days. Don't bring much. A robe, personal stuff(toothbrush-toothpaste-brush), pillow, slippers, and maybe some lite reading.

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

The main complication was lungs. Use the breething machine! I keep running fewers - it came from my lungs. I was X-Rayed for pnomonia. It showed I was not inflating the bottom portion of my lungs. The did therapy and I slowly got better.

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 went back to the Hospital on 1/31/01 for unexplained fevers. They did all kinds of tests. No fun but OK. I was there in the ER until the next day. I went home at 3P with the doctor saying it was probable the lungs again. On 2/2/01 I went back up to St. Peters to have the drain removed and feel a lot better. In the first week I had no anxieties. I wasn't hungry and was OK.

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

Weeks 2 thru 4 were the hardest. I did well but was in a lot of paid from the drain. Around week 4 I developed a puss pocket at my drain site. What a mess and extremely painful. When it finally burst open I felt much better. I had to take it very slow and easy. Sleeping was difficult. Take it very slow!

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

I live 75 miles from my surgeon. It takes me an hour and a half to get there. It's no fun, but he's a good doctor. It has not effected my aftercare.

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.

FOOD - I am now 9 weeks post-op. I have many problems with meats. Some days I do fine, but others are spent in the bathroom vomiting. The food must be extremely moist and tender. I find that chili is the easiest for me to eat. I have even eaten some chocolate (a small box of mini M & M's) with no problem. Have not yet and hope to never experience dumping.

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

It took me about 4 to 6 months to get my activty level up

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

I took 2 childerns multi's for about 6 months then changed to adult ones... cut in half... plus iron and 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?

I had vomiting for about 6 months, not fun but if you eat real slow and wait after each bite... it was fine. I did have some hair loss ... not much and has come back

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

The waiting process

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

We have an online support group and a group that meets monthly at the hospital.

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

I had a lap proceedure and have very little scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had three plateau's so far. They last for about a week at a time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am now 2 years post and still have people tripping over them selves with the loss. I think they thought I was sick and alot were afraid to ask why I was losing weight... now people ask and I tell them