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

My daughter researched it and told me about it. At first I said no way.

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

It was aweful. Once I got the doctor to turn it in as "medically necessary" it was easy.

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

I had a list of questions and made sure I got them all answered.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being a fat person. I hated being me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was only give one option. I just followed the doctors advice.

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 not afraid. I probably should have had more caution but I just wanted it over with.

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 immediate family is and was fantastic. Others not so much. I have people in my life who have been unable to loose weight that think I took the "easy way out". They could not be more wrong.

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

I was not working when I did this.

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

I had a good stay. I was up and about the next morning determined to walk and get well fast.

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

I had an infection from lack of drainage. It made me very ill and it took much longer to heal (abdominal absess)

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 just kept very busy.

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

I was very tired. I could not eat at all. My liquid diet lasted longer than I had hoped.

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

I was very close to the hospital so this was not an issue with me.

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 was not able to handle meat for a very long time. I have always eaten protein first (I dont have a problem with dairy). I lived on peanut butter, cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt. I still use my blender from much of my food.

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

I started with no energy. I was much better within about 2 months. I went from inactive to rowing 5 days a week.

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

I get B12 shots 2 times a month. I take daily vitamins and 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?

I did not have a problem with throwing up. I wish sometimes I could.

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

The feeling like something is stuck and it wont come up or go down. This is painful and can last for hours.

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

I was involved for a long time with a local support group. It was very helpful in the beginning.

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

Ugly. I had hoped for a better looking body.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I began to gain weight again in 2007. I found I had breast cancer. I went thru chemo and radiation. I was so ill from the chemo that I damaged my stomach (the staples broke down and I ended up with ulcers in most of the "remnant". In May 2009 I had my "remnant" permanantly removed and now have an even smaller stomach.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. It is amazing how nice people are to thin people!! Very sad but true. I also noticed that I dont look at myself as being thin.