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

I found out about bariatric surgery through work. I work at a hospital. I have studied the risks, indications and outcomes of bariatric surgery for two years. My initial impression was this was not for me, but after not being able to function as a normal person anymore I did not have much of a choice.

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

My advise to anyone contemplating this surgery would be to make sure you call and check on things with your surgeon's insurance manager. I had a 6 week delay due to lack of a letter from my internist. If I had called sooner this would not have happened.

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

My first visit with the surgeon was wonderful, however I have known him for many years. To get the most out of your meeting bring in a list of all your medications, physical complaints and questions about surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Plain and simple, I could not breathe, I hated myself. I wanted to live a normal life again.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I studied extensively the different options and decided that SRVG would be the best option with the least side-effects and quickest results.

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?

A few days before surgery I was scared to death that I would die during surgery or have a stroke, but it was just preoperative jitters. My friends and family were very encouraging and that helped. The day of my surgery I think I said a million Hail Marys' and Our Fathers'

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?

My husband was a little reluctant, at first he thought I was giving up on myself and taking the easy way out, until a co-worker told him about her daughter who was almost exactly the same as me and how much surgery changed her life for the better. My kids were just scared that something would happen to me during surgery. My friends offered the greatest support and encouraged me, they have known me since I was 13 and knew how much being overweight has bothered me for many years.

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

My employer was supportive and wanted me to get metter. I told my boss when I went in for my initial interview so that there were no shocks along the way. I was/or will be off work for three weeks. (I go back to work in three days and truthfully I am a little bit glad).

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

My stay in the hospital was comfortable. I won't lie, there was a lot of pain involved. If you keep yourself calm and think positively you can get through it. The most important thing to bring would be whatever makes you feel comfortable -- a teddy bear or similar to hug on if you have to cough is great.

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

The only complication I have had is that I was not prepared for the size of my incision. I did not realize that it was that large -- even typing the stupid operative reports for 14 years, I never realized how big the incision was. Postoperatively you have to learn how to take it slow getting up and down, the incisional pain will subside in about 10 days to just being uncomfortable.

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

Pray a lot.

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

I am only three weeks postop however I have had a multitude of family problems in the past three weeks. My best advise would be if you have any relatives staying with you, get rid of them before your surgery. Tell your children that now is not the time to screw up and cause trouble because it will get them in a lot more trouble than they think. Explain to everyone that short visits are great and you will need help with keeping the house clean and laundry done, volunteers are always accepted for those chores.

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

27 miles. Make sure you ride home in a comfortable car.

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.

Right now I am still in the mushy stages. However, at three weeks postop it might be a good idea to visit your favorite markets deli; you can get just a 1/4 pound of ham salad, potato salad, and chicken salad and eat of that for almost a week for lunch.

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

My first walk was 10 days after surgery and it felt great. I had no leg swelling, could breathe better and enjoyed it tremendously.

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

I take Centrum Children's Chewable Complete. The taste is kind of nasty, but it works.

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?

At 4-6 weeks trying new foods is a little scary. I have had sleep disturbance with restless legs, but talked to my surgeon and he prescribed Ambien for a short period. I was getting despert for sleep.

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

The worst part was coughing after surgery. It really hurt. Sneezing too.

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

My scar is slowly healing. I have several tender spots still. The incision was much larger than what I anticipated.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At about four weeks I hit a slow spot, but picked up again the next. That was partly because I found out that Pringles are easy to eat.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

At 6 weeks postop, I have noticed people smiling at me more at work. Some of them know that something is different, but they just can not put their finger on it yet.