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

I first heard about it from a friend who had the surgery. My first impression was that this could change my life

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

My approval was pretty simple and strightforward. My advise is to be persistant and always follow-up at every stage to make sure the process stays on track

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

My surgeon was very open about the advantages, disadvantages and dangers associated with bypass surgery. To get the most out of your doctor visit make sure you talk to people who have already gone through the procedure to see what they wish they would have asked in the beginning and write down all your list of questions

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was an easy decision for me. Have the surgery or die!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted something that was permanant and that would give me the best shot at success

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 biggest fear was dying on the operating table. You always hear the horror stories of bypass surgery. What got me through it was the fact without the surgery I was going to die anyway, If I was going to die I was going to die kicking, screaming and doing everything in my power to stay around.

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 have had the most supportive family and friends that anyone could ever have. I told everyone I cared about what my plans were and why I was making this decision. True friends will always support you. My support group is just as strong 3 years out as it was when I first made my decision

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

I was on disability when I had my surgery

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

I had a very bad experience with care at the hospital. I was there 5 days and recieved VERY minimal contact with the nurses. Bring reading material and a journal to write in

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

No complications at all

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 was very excited and anxious. Most of the anxiety came from being impatient and not wantiing to wait. To help w the anxiety I kept busy working around the house and also attending support groups in person and online to talk to people that had already been thru this

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

I had the open proceedure and It was sore to stand or do a lot of activity. The staples were in for about 2 weeks. The hardest part for me was to remember that I had to eat because I had NO appitite

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

2 1/2 hour drive from home. After my 1 year anniversary my PCP did my follow up here in town and faxed the labs to my surgeon

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

I went from no activity to slowly adding walking around the house to taking short walks up the block and then longer walks. This was over a perion d of about 1 1/2 months

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

multi-vit w/ iron 2x a day, calcium, B1, B12

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 had was that I would dump hard on Tuna. I avoided it for a year. After a year I tried it again and was ok with it

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

Tha care I recieved from the nurses and attendants in the reg. unit at Barnes Jewish Hospital

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

Obesityhelp.com, St. Johns Bariatric Support Group. When I got away from the support groups I quit losing weight. Support groups are vital for my success

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

It has lightened over time and is actually better than I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not lost a pound in 1 1/2 years. This is after losing 175 pounds in 1 1/2 years. I have recomitted to losing the last 200 pounds

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really because I am still overwieght