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

I found about the surgery from a co-worker that was about to have it done. I was so excited that there was a chance that I could really change my life and fit in with everyone else.

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

I didn't have any problems with the insurance company at all. I stated that I was going to have this surgery and it was processed.

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

The first visit with the doctor was very nerve-racking. I knew that you had to meet certain requirements in order to have the surgery and I so much wanted to have it. After meeting the doctor and his staff, I was very relieved. They were all just wonderful. They treated you with so much care and made me feel like a real person. One with a lot of hope for the future. If you go into the doctors office, tell yourself that when you leave, that that will be the begining of your new life.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery because I knew that I could finally have a chance at a normal life. A life that was accepted by most.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor adviced which one he would be doing due to the amount of weight that I had to lose.

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 had a lot of fears of dying, but I made show that I took care of any issues I had prior to the surgery in case I didn't make it. I made sure that my family and friend knew how I felt about them. I think this is something that we should all do from time to time. You don't always relize what you have until it either gone or about to be taken away. I was given the chance to make all things right.

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 didn't tell my family and friends at first because I thought that they would think that I was taking the easy way out. When I did tell them, they were very supportive. After the surgery, they seem to call more often and want to know how I'm doing.

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

I didn't tell my employer/supervisor the real reason for the surgery. The benefits dept knew, but that was all. I felt very uncomfortable about talking about something so personal.

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

My stay in the hospital was great. I was ther for 4 days and the staff was great. They relized what I was going though and was there to help every step of the way.

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

I didn't have any complications from the surgery, but I did have a hard time with broncitis after the surgery. I had it a couple of weeks prior to the surgery and had come back.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

When I first got my date it was just before the holidays and I concentraded on getting through them. Then I needed to decide who I was going to tell and how. I had to wait 2 1/2 months before the date.

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

I was very tired the first week I came home. You would also see things that were done when you were in the hospital and it would kill me knowing that I couldn't do anything about it. It was, take my meds, drink and rest....

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

I have to travel about 45 minutes to get to my doctor. I was very nervous that if anything happened to me, would I get back to the hospital fast enough. So I made show that I followed he every order.

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.

When I first came home it was mainly liquids, then soft foods like yogart and instant oatmeal. I had to keep away from foods that had alot of sugar in it. Slowly you get to try new foods to see if you can tolerate them. It a learning process right from the start.

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

My actvity level was very low in the first few weeks. After the staples came out I felt that I could do more. I still get tired alot, but I'm able to get around more.

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

I take a multi vitamin, B12 vitamin and an iron supplement.

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 nausia was the worst for me. I had pain in my stomach and that didn't help it any. I still feel sick depending on what I eat. I just have to watch what I eat and stay close to a bathroom just in case.

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

The worst part of the surgery was the pain that I get in my stomach if I try to do too much. Other than that, the surgery and the healing went fine.

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

I attend a monthly support group that is really great. You leave the meeting feeling a lot better because you know that you are not alone.

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

My scar healed real good. I knew what the size was going to be like because a co-worker had it done and I saw hers.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Haven't been post op lone enough to hit any plateau's.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

It still too early to see many changes and I haven't been out much for anyone to see the changes.