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

I heard about bariatric surgery from my aunt. Her sister had a procedure done 20 years ago and went from 350lbs to 165 lbs and has maintained her weight +/_ 20 pounds for the past 20 years. I never thought that I could afford something so costly. At that time insurance companies did not pay for the procedure. How blessed we are today that insurance companies are proactive in allowing us to have the surgery to eliminate current and prevent future health problems

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

Having a PCP who knows how to write to the insurance company to impress upon them the necessity of the surgery is vital. My PCP was the reason that my surgery was approved with the first letter.

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

My doctor is friendly and talks to you like a friend. It was helpful to have him draw out the surgery that he will do on you, explain the process and any possible complications. I think that it is a good idea to have a relative or friend with you at this first session. It is so much information and two people will remember and understand all of the medical information received at this first meeting.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was fat and happy for 48 years. Then all of a sudden I was an insulin dependent diabetic, had uterine cancer and put so much strain on my back from excess weight that I was wheel chair bound. I needed help and my only hope for a quick reversal of medical conditions was to have WLS.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon talked to me about all of the WLS options, however, he only performs the Rouen-Y Bypass. He has performed others, but finds this to be the most effective and give the best long term 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?

I was worried about pain after the surgery. I did have a lot of pain the first day post surgery, however, by day two the anesthesia department had my pain totally under control. I also worried about blood clots, but at my morbidly obese weight I was at risk for blood clots every day of my life. My fears were not nearly as strong as my desire for a better quality of life that I knew I could acheive with WLS.

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 my best cheerleader. He said right from the start that I could do this and it would be great for me. My parents were a bit scared, but they've seen me go through so much to lose weight and never succeed at keeping it off that they said it was worth any surgical risks to give me this opportunity to change my life.

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

I was disabled prior to surgery, so I did not miss work because of the surgery. I missed work because my health had deteriorated to the point of beign unable to function in the work place on any kind of a regular basis.

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

My surgeon has two monthly meetings for all of his pre and post ops to attend. He provides a monthly newsletter with heaps of good information. He employs a FT previous surgery patient who helps everyone before, during and after surgery

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

My scar was 18inches at the time of surgery. As you lose weight, everything shrinks ! My scar is now about 7 inches. It is red / brown in color. However, I have never tried any of the fade creams like Mederma. I really don't mind my " battle scar" Looking at it reminds me of the years and years that I did battle with obesity and that now the war is WON.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At ten months and -140 pounds I experienced a nine week plateau. I have only lost a couple more pounds in the next few months, but my body has drastically reshaped and resized. With only a couple of pounds lost I went down two sizes.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People who knew me before are so supportive and pleased for me. Everyone is rather amazed at the short time to have acheived such a large weight loss. I do notice that people in stores and on the street who did not know me before seem friendlier than when I was heavy. Men seem especially kind with extra efforts to be nice to me. I kind of like the attention