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

My pulmonary doctor and I were talking about weight control and he asked if I ever considered a gastric bypass. I told him I didn't even know what it was. He gave me the name of a surgeon that he knew personally and told me to call for an appointment. When he first told me about this, I was psyched. I thought "WOW, I'LL NEVER HAVE TO DIET AGAIN." I called for an appointment and was told that I would receive a date in the mail and some information on weight loss surgery. I was in the hospital on one of my many visits when the packet arrived and my husband brought it up to me. I have to admit that I was scared to death when I read the booklet, etc. and didn't know what to do. I thought, let me give this some time as my appointment was not scheduled until 8/7/01. I called in the beginning of April for the appointment.

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

I have not received insurance approval as yet. The doctor's office advised me that letters would be sent in two weeks, which would be approximately September 20, 2001.

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

I waited a long time to see my surgeon, but when he came in I liked him instantly. He looked right in my eyes, introduced himself and shook my hand. He did the same with my husband. I told him that I had read the booklet 100 times, researched on the Internet and talked with people who had the surgery. He, nevertheless, told me that I was a candidate for laporoscopic RNY surgery. He then went over my medical history (which I had gone over already with his physician's assistant prior to his coming into the room). He told me of things I must do prior to surgery. If, after reading all information, a person has any questions, write them down so you don't forget what to discuss with the surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The inability to lose weight and the fact that some of my comorbities would be cured and others improved. I also have one grandchild and expect more and I want to do things with them. I want to get back to work as I love my job and I want to breathe. I also want to be around for my family.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By research and talking to the surgeon.

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 have fears about dying, but if I don't do something soon I may die of a heart attack or something else or develope more health problems. There are risks with any type of surgery, even having a tooth pulled. From everyone I talked to, there is not one person who said they would not do it again.

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 haven't had surgery yet, but my husband and daughter are all for surgery, although my daughter especially is very frightened. My son tells me to do what I want, but I can tell he doesn't want me to have the surgery. All he would say is that his friend, who is a physician's assistant, said I should go to New York. My brother is against surgery, but I know he will be there for me. He has been overweight, but never obese, never mind morbidly obese. I only had one of my dear friends question the surgery, but she is also the only friend who wanted to read up on the surgery before making a determination. And read she did. She questioned me like I was taking a final exam and guess what? I passed.

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

My daughter spilled the beans to my employer as she works in the same office as I do. He hasn't reacted at all. I am not scheduled for surgery as yet, but I have been out of work on disability twice and my boss has been very sympathetic.

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

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

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

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

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

Haven't had surgery yet, but hospital is about 20 miles away.

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.

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

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

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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?

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

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

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

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Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

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Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

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