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

TV - I was very interested.

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

I had to wait about 2 months for approval. I was approved right away. I would suggest to anyone trying to get approval - let the doctor know all the other things you tried (pills, clinics, etc.). It bodes well if they know you've tried other things before going to this drastic measure.

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

I was very well informed before I went to see my surgeon. I had a folder an inch thick of information from the internet that I had printed out. Get as much information as you can and ask questions. There are NO stupid questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Seeing the results of people on TV and in person. It's 100% effective. What other things can say that?

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor basically said what procedure he would do on me.

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 not waking up from the anesthesia. Everyone is going to have fears. It's normal.

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?

Some thought I was crazy, others thought - good for me. They're very impressed with the results.

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

At first, I told them I was having female surgery. I work with a bunch of men, so that's all I had to say. They didn't want to hear details. After my surgery had been posponed twice, I thought I had better come clean and let then know what I was really doing. They were/are very supportive. They were a little annoyed with the amount of time I took off work to recover (1 month). They just needed me in the office.

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

I was in from Friday night until Tuesday around lunchtime. The stay was fine. I can't complain about the hospital food because I didn't eat.

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

No complications.

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

For the first month I was still in a little pain. The second month was a lot of nausea and no energy. Finally got to drinking protein drinks every morning and felt a lot better. I cried a lot during meals. My family ate as normal and I obviously couldn't.

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

I was depressed. Didn't have any energy.

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

The hospital was only about 7-10 miles from my house. Very close and convenient.

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 on clear liquids for the first week. Soft foods for the next week and then I introduced regular foods a little at a time. I'm still unable to eat steak. It won't digest. I have to throw it up after about 2 hours. I'll try steak again after a year.

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

Very little activity. No energy till about the third month.

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

I take a multi-vitamin every morning (mostly). I'm on a anti-depressant and synthroid. I have to be on synthroid for my thyroid for the rest of my life, but I may try to get off the anti-depressant soon.

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 had nausea the first 2 months. I didn't feel like eating at all because of it. I had some vomiting - only when I ate too much or too fast. No sleep disturbance - it's actually better. I did have hair loss during the 4-5 month. It seems to have stopped though.

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

I do miss eating a lot during the holidays. Everyone else's plates are full and I have about a cup of food. I'll laugh the whole way to the pool wearing my two-piece though.

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

I go to monthly meetings (bi-monthly in the fall, winter, and spring months). The meetings are very helpful.

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

I have five little scars. I expected scarring and I'm not upset with it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've hit a plataeu now. I still lose about 2-3 pounds a month.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get looks all the time. I'm not sure that I'm comfortable with people looking at my new body. I guess I'll have to get used to it.