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

Through magazine articles...I used to think, "Yeah, they took the easy way out." Hah! I have always looked at success stories in magazines while checking out. If the word "surgery" ever appeared, that magazine would be put back in its place faster than you can say "Adios!" My opinion changed as I looked into it more closely.

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

I had no challenges. If you do...fight!

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

I learned the basics and that's pretty much it. I suggest researching the Internet and have a thorough list of questions ready. Most importantly (after qualification of the surgeon is verified), ask about follow-up support. The more intimate and structured, the better.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was approved and felt it was fate.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was easy...the only type my surgeon does is open-gastric bypass.

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 wasn't really that scared.

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?

Everybody was supportive (pre and post op). My father, however, was concerned.

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 her. Word got around and she asked me if I had had surgery when I returned after summer break. Ironically, she was very prejudiced prior to my surgery. Post-op, she was very supportive and said I was brave. I didn't miss any work...one of the luxuries of being a teacher (and having surgery during the summer).

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

It was fine..they didn't give me much advice as to what I needed to do after I left. They have specially trained staff to deal with WLS patients. I was there for five days. Bring stuff to read.

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

Yes..my tube got stuck for two months. It was supposed to come out after three weeks. Months down the road, my surgeon was concerned about my esophogus. When I had my hernia repaired and more intestine was bypassed, my main problem was having part of my incision re-open.

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 happy but also anxious that it would be canceled. Just nervous excitement, I guess.

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

I didn't eat very much. I was mainly dizzy and short of breath. Yes, there was pain. I stayed with my sister and slept in a chair. (For my "revision," I slept in a bed..I really didn't feel much of a difference between both methods.)

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

About 20 miles.

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.

Quite frankly, nothing affected me. No vomiting or dumping. I feel this has something to do with my lower level of success as compared to other patients. My "tool" didn't help me as much as I feel it should have.

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

I got up and walked around in a very limited manner. I drove within two weeks.

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

Too many to list!

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?

Again, I didn't have any. My hair became slightly thinner but I didn't lose too much.

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

The surgery was fine. I just wasn't very impressed with the "extras": follow-up care, etc...

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

When I had my surgery, my surgeon only had a support group once a month in the hospital where he performs the surgery. I hear he now has small groups but my friend, who had her surgery only a year ago, wasn't impressed with his office not returning phone calls or the professionals he used. I can't attest to that. I wasn't able to go to the small groups because I had my surgery "before the fact."

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

For my first surgery it healed very well. For my "revision," only time will tell. I will have a very nasty one because of the opening at the bottom of it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateaus? I wish that was all I had. I lost 126 pounds and prior to going back for my "revision," I had regained close to 60 of it back...not very good for the self-esteem.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I did until I began gaining the weight back.