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

Initially, I had many negative thoughts about the surgery. I felt that it was for lazy people who did not try to lose weight. It was for weak minded people. I started researching surgery when I could not get my own weight under control. I had been overweight my entire life and needed a permanent solution. A friend from work had the surgery and I noticed a celebrity endorsement of someone that had been morbidly obese turn their life around. I was extremely skeptical.

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

I have not been approved for surgery. I feel that the insurance company should look at an overall weight history and the current weight is more important. They should look into someone's attempts to lose weight. I don't think they should require someone to remain obese for many years before they agree to help them. The person is at risk now!!! I believe that a person has to insist and be passive aggressive in order to get results. Insurance companies do not want to help.. they want to save money.

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

The surgeon meeting was informational. I was extremely comfortable. My advice is to have a significant other present to help you process the information. This person should be objective and supportive on your decision. Have questions written down and bring your medical records with you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I want to be at a healthier weight and lead a healthier lifestyle. I have reached a weight in which it is hard to exercise and the energy level is low. I have infertility problems associated with my weight and would like to have more children. It is important for me socially and emotionally. I want to be noticed for something other than my size. I feel that it would enhance my professional and personal life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted something that was the gold standard that offered maximum benefit from the risk. RNY is what my physician suggested and I trust him.

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 am still scared, but I feel that it is worth the risk. I am on my way to developing diabetes, heart disease, cancer.. etc. Long term the benefits are greater than the risks. If I die, then it was my time to go and was exactly the way that I was supposed to go!

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 seemed supportive. At first, I wanted it to be personal and that did not last long. My family members decided to tell everyone they knew and now I am comfortable with my decision. I went to visit my in-laws for Easter and they live in an extremely small town and some of the church members came up to me to see how I was doing and was looking over my body instead of talking to me. I could tell that everyone knew and was talking about it. Things like that make me self conscious... but I do not regret my decision. I just wanted it to be personal and not public. There is still a stigma associated with having surgery, but I feel like it was my health and no one has walked in my shoes to know what a burden it is to be obese.... physically, mentally, socially.... Overall.. I had support to my face.. but behind my back is a different story.

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

I did not tell my supervisor that I was having surgery. I had surgery over a vacation break and returned to work one week after surgery. Later, I informed people of my decision, but it was confidential and no one's business. I did not miss a beat.

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

I was in the hospital 24 hours. The evening patient care technician was a real jerk to me. I was put on the maternity floor. The RN and the patient tech did not get along well. The patient care tech was very unprofessional and kept meddling with my IV. When I asked for my RN to check it, the patient care tech got mad and said that she would not come back to my room. After that, it was extremely hard for me to get help from the nursing staff until the night shift. The night shift nurse took great care of me.. she was nice and helped me. She was the best. I think that the most important thing to bring is a family member to help, also chapstick and a good attitude. I was up walking and ready to be a big loser.

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

I was lucky not to have complications. The only thing that I would say is a complication is the itching from the pain medicine. I had to have benedryl to relieve the itching. My mouth was dry and I was a little dehydrated from the pre-op prep of magnesium citrate.. so it was hard for the nurse to get an IV started. I suggest drinking more than you can hold the night before surgery.

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

Well the time between my approval and my date was so short that I did not have time to get nervous. I did cry the night before and was scared. I wanted my family around me and yet I wanted it to be a personal experience. I had mixed emotions yet I had come to far to turn back. I did cry and was emotional the days leading up to surgery and had a great "last" meal with my family.

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

I felt like I had made the wrong decision after I came home from the hospital. I missed food. I felt like a drug addict wanting something to eat. I was angry with myself. It was an emotional experience. I had to find different ways to cope. It became easier as time passed, but initially I was miserable with my decision.

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

My aftercare support is obesity help website. I can get on the forum and ask questions.. talk to people and enjoy not feeling alone. I would like to go to support groups but there is not support groups close enough to attend.

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

Some of my scars are barely noticed, but two are red and raised. These were the incisions that had to be taken care to keep the infection down. I think if I put vitamin E on them.. they will fade away eventially.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I try not to weigh everyday. I have experienced a few plateaus that have lasted approximately a week. It seems like during this time, I am losing inches. The scale will not change and then will go up .. and then all of a sudden I am 3-4 lbs lighter. I will soon be three months out.. so plateaus will come on later.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are treating me differently. People seem nicer and are more likely to smile and talk to me. It seems to make a difference in the work place. Some women are a little catty about someone losing weight. It seems that women do not want other women to get "smaller" than them. It is a weird dynamic and some people are not as friendly. My sister was really ugly when I told her what size clothes I wore. She said that she wore a smaller size, but it was hard for me to believe her because of her reaction to my response about my clothes.