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

I first became aware of this surgery from an acquaintance of mine in church. I saw her losing weight and asked how she managed it. Once I heard her story, I still waited six months, trying one more time to diet, before even considering surgery. After my first consultation, I knew this was right for me.

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

I carry Mail Handler's Benefit Plan insurance. My doctor's office had a confirmation from the MHBP office within one day of faxing in my medical evaluation. My advice is, if you meet the normal criteria for the surgery and your insurance denies your application, get a new company, if possible. If you are the insured and this happens, see if your spouse has or can qualify for another carrier and drop yours.

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

My first consultation visit was very enlightening. My surgeon was quite informative about the process and very confident in his surgical abilities. That helped alleviate some stress about making this decision. He has a formulated approach -- general health assessment, psyche evaluation, and visit to nutritionist -- before he will do the surgery. To make your visit easier, write down your personal weight loss history, to include what you tried, how much you weighed when you started, how much you lost, and how much you gained back in what length of time. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR INSURANCE APPROVALS.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Once I was fully informed on the process, prognosis, and risks, I decided that taking those potential risks was far less dangerous to me health than the medical problems I surely faced in the future without the surgery. I had so much pain in my feet, I was on the way to having the nerves cut in them. I was experiencing borderline blood sugar problems. Many overweight people I know were already dealing with diabetes. I decided I would take control of my life and not let it control me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I took my doctor's recommendation on the procedure I took. The laprascopic surgery was (as is) still very new. Few surgeons have any long history using it, so I took a tried and true way.

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 back surgery 10 years ago and know what it's like to face my own mortality. It's an earth-shattering experience since we all think we'll live forever. On the morning of surgery -- actually within 15 minutes of going in -- my thought was the overwhelming grief my husband would experience if I died. I almost go up off the gurney. Then I thought, this surgery will prolong our life together and give us better quality of life when we retire. We'll be able to really enjoy our golden years. Then it really became a "we" thing instead of a "me" thing. He was with me all the way on this process. The fear of complications was greater than the fear of dying. One never knows when a staph infection may be encountered. However, the doctor and hospital took precautions to prevent complications.

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?

My family -- husband, children and parents -- were fully supportive. My brother's wife -- Miss Jazzercise 200? -- believed I could control my weight problems with "the proper diet and exercise". This came from someone who weighed 110 soaking wet. Yeaaahhhh! Your families support is very necessary. You need to know you're not going into this alone. My friends were also very supportive. Many told me that they greatly admired me for making such a tough decision.

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

My supervisor gave me all the time off I needed. Fortunately, I work for the federal government and had accumulated lost of sick leave. I only took off 3 weeks, went back to work for half-days for the first couple of weeks. I had a 3-week business trip at the end of my second post-op month. My second-line supervisor called me directly and wanted to let me know that I didn't have to make the trip if I didn't feel up to it physically. He said my health was very important, more so than the job. What a great group I work for!!!

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

The hospital stay wasn't bad. Even the pureed food I got was very flavorable. The only thing I didn't like was lack of response by the night staff when I needed help getting up to go to the backroom. Don't plan on getting a lot of rest. It's noisy during the day, and you get awakened throughout the night to get your vital signs taken. I had surgery on Tuesday and returned home on Friday. Don't forget reading materials, pajama/gown, robe and slippers. The hospital provides most everything else.

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?

I had a four week class out of state, so was busy. I did take along all my literature and read through it. I met a woman there who was also overweight and diabetic. She had problems walking and her prognosis was to be confined in a wheel chair if she didn't lose weight. That was it! I knew from that moment on I was going to get the surgery!

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

I stayed on our couch for the first week. It's soft and the arms are made so that I was in a semi-reclining position. It was easier to sleep that way. I think laying down pulls on the internal stitches and that's uncomfortable. Getting use to dealing with food preparation was the worst part for me. However, I stayed with the soft, pureed food the first six weeks and I believe I healed better for doing it.

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

About 30 miles. My husband drove me to my follow-up appointment the first few weeks. After that, I had no problem driving myself.

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.

The first few weeks, even if pureed, DO NOT eat fried foods. Those little hard edges do not get made softer after going through a blender. They irritate the stitches where the intestine is reattached, and IT HURTS! Anything with sugar is definitely off limits. I had two dumping attacks before I finally realized I really CAN'T eat products with lots of sugar. Tried having waffles with maple syrup one morning -- BIG MISTAKE!!! I started adding my protein powder to orange juice. Tasted pretty good, until I stopped losing weight. Didn't realize an 8-oz glass has 22g of sugar. I have become lactose intolerant, except for cheese. Mostly bothers me with milk or ice cream (sugarless). Other than that, I eat most anything now, just in small portions. Oh, yeah, don't skip meals.

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

I took it easy so I wouldn't get any hernias or injure myself in some way.

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

Flintstones Complete are GOOD! I take Viactiv for calcium and Vitron C for iron. Phamacist says its the best for malabsorption. Also take sub-lingual B12 (get it at GNC).

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?

Minimal hair loss

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

Mental preparation. I did not want to stay the way I was, but I knew any major surgery was a risk. One has to be weighted carefully against the other.

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

We have a "Staple Club" support group. I should have attended more often after surgery, but always got caught up in other things. Many folks want to hear about your experience because they're waiting to go through it. I learned about cosmetic surgery that's available once I lost my weight. Got to start saving my pennies for that!

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

Long, narrow and fading. I knew there would be one, but it wasn't a great concern to me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Because I had only 80-100 pounds to lose, I didn't experience a lot of adjustment along the way. I lost about 10 pounds per month (21 in the first 20 days post op).

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I do get a lot of compliments. People I haven't seen for a while hardly recognize me. My friends and work colleagues "admire" my courage for taking control and getting this done.