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

I had two aunts who had the stomach stapling procedure popular in the late 70's to mid 80's. Then there was Carnie. I was watching with total skepticism. More info became available and I was sold.

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

I was lucky and had no issues with my insurer. To others I say keep trying, never give up.

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

Very nice. Bring a list of questions so you don't forget what you wanted to ask. Write down the answers too!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just decided I was too young to be so utterly useless. I couldn't do anything fun anymore. It was time to do something drastic and get serious about my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research, research, research.

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 was afraid, but I was more afraid of what was waiting for me if I continued on my obesity path. To those with worries I would say, be sure to get all the info you can, but think about it....for me it was worse to know what was certainly coming for me than to think about what could happen with surgery.

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 had some hot and some cold. I knew I needed to do this. After it was the same. Some are very supportive and some are luke warm. I know in my heart I did the right thing.

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

I was fortunate to be between jobs at the time.

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

My hospital stay was pleasant. I had surgery on a Wednesday morning and I left on Saturday afternoon. I brought my own pillows, lip balm and some books. TV bores me. LOL

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

No. I have been very fortunate.

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 used relaxation and breathing techniques. Also, I was busy dealing with negativity from the overly jealous so I was preoccupied.

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

It was hard, but I got through it. You will need some help.

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

Not far. Across town.

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 couldn't and still can't eat pork or beef. I have severe dumping so I eat no sugar, and even have to be extrememly careful with fruit. That being said, I do eat like a regular person. I eat chicken, and fish and cheese. Yogurt and things are hard but they were always issues for me, even before surgery.

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

Slow at first but every day I walked further. Even if it was only 20 steps I made myself do it. It got easier each passing day.

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

Prenatal vitamins, calcium citrate and sublingual B-12.

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 lost some hair. It wasn't too bad and it stopped within 3 months.

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

The fear of insurance rejection and the fear of death.

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

I try to go to our local support group every month although I am dissatisfied with the group. They tend to talk about ways to cheat and how they "accidentally" find out they don't dump. I still go, there has to be a few serious patients out there. I want them to see what can happen when you take this surgery seriously.

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

It's not pretty but hey, I will wear a bikini and not be ashamed. It is actually better than I hoped for.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a few, there were very brief. I upped my activity level as well as my caloric intake and things started moving again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. It is much easier to get waited on, to get job interview call backs and the like. My husbands coworkers who used to act like I was invisible (a 300 lb invisible woman, IMAGINE) now act like I am there long lost buddy. I just let it slide. Shallowness is always exposed and I am not hurting for real friends.