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

Honestly, I don't remember where I first heard about it. I believe that I first heard about it from a show like 20/20 or Dateline.

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

I tried with my first job to get approved and over and over again I was denied. The second job, just gave up as soon as I found out. The state insurance wasn't going to budge on their decision to deny me.

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

I had already spoken to a surgeon before I met the Doctor who actually did my surgery. Plus I had been going to meetings and groups for the past 2 1/2 years before meeting with my surgeon. All I can say is whatever questions you may have, ask. No matter how silly they may sound, ask. This is a very important surgery and be as informed as you possibly can.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

There wasn't even a question in my mind. I knew from the moment I heard about it that I was going to have it one way or another. I was tired of being fat.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My sister-in-law had the lapband. I did not like the results and complications she had with it. After much thought I decided to have the bypass.

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?

Honestly I wasn't that scared. My worse fear was the pain. I had never had surgery before this one and so I was very concerned as to what it would feel like for someone to be poking around in my insides. I wasn't scared of dying because I knew that if I didn't have the surgery the weight would kill me soon enough.

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?

All of my family and friends were there for me 100%. Matter of fact, my brother and cousin have been referred to my surgeon and are on their way to having the surgery as well.

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

My supervisor is actually the one who referred me to my surgeon. Her best friend is a nurse at his office. If it wasn't for my boss I may have never had have the surgery. She supports me 100% and helped me when I had to take the time off of work.

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

My hospital stay was short and nice. I was only there for three days. The staff was very nice and helpful. The breathing treatments while there were horrible. Once in awhile it took too long for pain medicine. But it was still a nice visit none the less.

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

I did not have any complications from the 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?

I only had to wait two weeks to have my surgery. Everyday I would call family members and say, "Guess what? I'm going to be skinny." I was a mess until the night before the surgery, that's when I started to get really antsy.

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

I was miserable. Everything you do effects your abdomen. I couldn't walk, cough, sneeze, stand, sit, sleep anything without making my stomach hurt. My Doc gave me liquid loratab for the pain, but the best pain relief I found was Children's liquid Motrin. The pain will soon go away. Just keep thinking, it's all going to be great one day soon.

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

The hospital that I had the surgery is only about 15-20 minutes away from my house. I went to my mother's house after the surgery though and that was about an hour away. My mother took care of me after the surgery so my aftercare wasn't effected at all.

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.

I am scared of food now. I am at the 8 week marker and I am still terrified of eating. I ate popcorn one night and got so sick I couldn't stand myself. I am really just sticking to high protein smoothie's from Smoothie King and soup. I feel comfortable with those things.

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

The hospital offers one, but since I paid cash for my surgery I am now working two jobs to pay back the loans. I haven't had the time to go to any of the support group meetings. My friends and family are making nice support groups though. I have had a few family members have the surgery.

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

I have six itty bitty scars that are rapidly disappearing and honestly I believe will be gone by the time my weight loss is finished.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, men especially.....it sucks though, I'm still the same person that I used to be, just smaller. Don't get me wrong, I love the attention, but I should have gotten it when I was fat too.