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

I first heard about bariatric surgery on the radio. The announcers were talking about Al Roker's surgery and his success. My first thought was fear. What long-term effects would accure from having your plumbing re-arranged?

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

When I first began all the prep for surgery, the company I work for had BC/BS which covered the procedure. When It was time for me to get approval my company changed health insurance companies to UHC, which does not cover this procedure. However, I also have Tricare Standard. Because UHC did not cover the procedure Tricare approved me. Now the only problem I'm having is the hospital has to file UHC first to get the denial before Tricare will pay. It gets very confusing trying to keep up with what has been paid and what hasn't.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was the weight loss surgery seminar. It was very informative and I also learned about the support groups offered in my area.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I will have to admit that I was pretty undecided throughout the entire process until I got my first insurance denial. That night I cried myself to sleep. When I woke up at 3 in the morning still crying, I realized how badly I wanted the surgery; how badly I wanted to live a better life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Fear decided which procedure I was going to have. Like most people I am terrified of pain. I chose the laposcopic procedure. Small holes generally produce smaller amounts of pain.

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?

My only fear was the pain. I had complete confidence in my doctor. I did learn that my fear of the pain was over-rated. The pain best resembled the day following a hard workout session on my stomach. I was allittle sore, almost like my stomach muscles had tighten up.

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 members and friend were supportive and still are very supportive. For the ones who gave me conflict I simple told myself that they could never possibly understand my need therefore I did not bother to explain it.

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

My employer's reaction was mostly surprise. He didn't think I would even qualify, not realizing the my true condition as being severe. However once he realized I needed this surgery he has allowed me all the time I need for the surgery and follow-up appointments. I was only out of work for 4 days.

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

My hospital stay was one of the best stays I had had in a hospital. I was only there for 2 days but the staff was wonderful. I brought a book with me. I didn't read it too much after the surgery but while I was waitng my turn for the surgery they allowed me to read. I really cut down on my nervousness.

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

I had no complication from my 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?

My surgery was preformed a week after I got my date. It had to be one of the hardest weeks of my life. The night before surgery I could see at all. I guess you can say I didn't cope well with the anxiety. However I wouldn't call it anxiety. I would describe it more like excitment.

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

I could best describe my first few weeks home from the hospital as TIRED. I returned to work 4 days after my surgery which probably didn't help any. (I sit behind a desk all day) Besides that my only other complaint was the constant burping.

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

The hospital is about 5 miles from my house and my doctors office is only 2 miles from my home.

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.

Well my fist two weeks after surgery I primarily ate soft foods. I had no problems keeping anything down and had not reactions to any of the foods suggested by my doctor. However, I am now two month post op and I can not eat pasta. It doesn't really make me sick unless I try to force myself to eat it. I get about 2 bite in and I get that overfull feeling so I just don't eat it anymore.

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

In the days and weeks to follow my surgery, I felt tired a lot but I still conducted my usually work day and I added 30 min exercise in the morning as well as 30 mins at night.

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

I have fallen in love with the Flintstones calcuim chews. I take those three times a day as well as the flintstone vitamins and the tums with calcuim.

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?

The only side effect I have suffered up to this point (2 months post-op) is some vomiting when I eat to much or when I eat pasta.

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

The worst part of the surgery is the dietary changes. I've developed a why eat attitude. I get so aggrivated when I want to eat more of something that taste really good, but I know I can't. Believe me I do eat my required meals but sometimes I really miss a big old helping of my favorite foods.

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

I attend a support group offered by my doctors office. It ammazes me when I talk to others who have had the surgery and find out they don't go to a support group. The amount of information I gain from others who are months ahead of me is astounding. I can't imagine going through this without my support group.

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

My surgery was laposcopic so I only have six small scars about an inch long. Two have almost faded completed already. This was far better than what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateau. What a dirty, nasty word. I'm am 2 months post-op and I have been stuck for two weeks now. My doctor warned me this would happen and not to weigh myself everyday. Doing this would only make it seem worse. I so impatient to lose this weight that this is killing me. I just keep telling myself that I WILL fall off one day. And oh what a day that will be.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Everyone keeps asking me how much weight have you lost now. My co-workers ask me everyday. Of course this doesn't help when I stuck on a plateau. So I try to avoid the question by telling them that I will give them a monthly update on the first of every month. They all seem to be excited for me.