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

The first time I ever really listened to anything about the surgery was when my sister decided to have it. My initial response was what I had been taught my whole life; that it was the 'easy way out' and that she could have taken it to control on her own (like I was expected to do).

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

I have Medicare and had no approval process. It was covered without question.

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

My first visit with Dr. Leggett was hectic to say the least. There were a lot of questions asked and things explained on both sides. The best way to be prepared for this first visit is to RESEARCH the surgery so you're not totally lost as to what the doctors are asking/telling you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Losing the ability to carry my fat ass around and being more afraid of dying from obesity than the surgery complications.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After researching the different procedures thoroughly I decided the RNY was the best choice for 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?

Like I said before, I was more afraid of dying from being obese than I was of the surgery. I think if you're to that point you should not worry about those fears too much.

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?

Most of my family and friends were very supportive from the beginning but there were a few who had major doubts and issues with me taking such a huge risk. Everyone I know is supportive of me now because they see how much better my quality of life is.

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

Don't work

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

Except for the fact that I was in the most major PAIN I'd ever experienced, my hospital stay was great and I felt well taken care of. I was in the hospital for two and a half days and then was able to come home. I was glad to be out of there and back into my own bed! The most important thing I took was my house shoes because I was up walking quite a bit and that floor was COLD.

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

So far I am complication free from the surgery!

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

Luckily for me, it was only a short time after I got my date until the actual surgery. I didn't have too much time to build anxiety but I did have it. I just tried to remain calm and think clearly about doing the things I needed to make sure were done.

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

Pure hell. I've never been more confused or in more pain in my entire life. I recommend living and breathing by the dietary/exercise instructions given to you prior to your surgery. If you didn't receive any such information from your surgeons office - get a new surgeon (seriously). The good part about this time was that I knew that it was for a good cause and it really did get phenominally better EVERY single day.

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

It's approximately an hour to an hour and a half to my surgeons office and hospital from where I live. I wouldn't have it any other way considering how much I love my surgeon but having to travel that far has/is been quite a pain. I've endured it though for the sake of the great man who helped 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've been extremely lucky with 'what' I've been able to eat. I progressed back into normal food very quickly after my surgery. There were a few weeks of tuna and ground up chicken once I was on solid foods and then I was able to eat just about anything. I have had a battle with sugar and have become very sensitive to it. It hasn't been too difficult to adjust to. I had a scare at first with a very difficult time eating ENOUGH food. My new tummy was very sensitive for a long time and I am now at just about a year out able to eat the appropriate amount on a regular basis.

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

I was very active from the very beginning after surgery. I had to take care not to over do things from very early on (like the second day after coming home). That has slowed down tremendously in the past six months however.

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

Viactiv chewable vitamins work great for me and I've had to add no other supplements as of yet.

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

I've never been a steady support group goer; however, I have attended some of the support group meetings in my area and a few at the hospital where I had my surgery. It was a great tool for me in the beginning; however, I'm not the social butterfly and don't get out to meetings anymore.

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

My scars are pretty much what I expected. They're not very big and are healing nicely. There's one scar that will probably be ugly because that's the one where most of the work was performed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had no plateau experiences during my weight loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. It's good and sad both at the same time. I was the same person fat as I am now - I just looked different.......but I surely get noticed now.