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

I found out about bariatric surgery when I was in college a couple of people on my dorm floor had it. One did very well and the other had lots of problems. At the time at a skinny 128lbs I thought geez wouldn't it just be easier to stop eating. Well experience is the best teacher.

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

This time around it has not been very difficult. I just finished my psych,cardiac and pulmonary evals. and now have to wait for my surgeon and pcp to get everything and then we can talk about a date. The last time the ins. that I had sent me thru so many changes only to deny me,I was told to appeal and then denied again. Turns out there was a written exclusion. They considered it to be cosmetic surgery and did not cover it for that reason. If I had found a way to pay for the surgery w/o the ins. If I needed any corrective surgery a revision, tt, lipo, etc. they would not pay because it was caused by the weightloss surgery.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was very informative. He explained everything to me. He took time to answer my questions. His staff were very nice and helpful. Some of them have had the surgery so they know exactly what you have to do and they also know what you are going thru. The way to get the most out of this meeting is to be prepared with your questions and concerns. Also listen to the answers given for your questions. If you aren't clear on something ask again.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The deciding point for me was when my health started to be affected. I had no real support. My husband is of average weight and like most people he thinks that this is an easy problem to fix. Stop Eating. He can't or won't see that I have put on the majority of this weight thru dieting. I can lose just great. I just can't keep it off and when it returns more weight comes with it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I made my decision after watching several programs on the discovery channel and going on the net. Also I felt that I needed a permanent solution..

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 am putting it in God's hands. I have to do something and diets don't work for me.

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?

After my husbands reaction I decided not to tell anyone else. There is a woman that I work with who everyone thinks had the surgery. She lost practically a whole person in a very short amount of time. But when they ask her about it denies it and they give her a hard time about it. I think the people involved are really a little bit envious. She was pretty big and now some of them make two of her.

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

I am not telling my employer or anyone else. I plan to use vacation time for the surgery.

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

My hospital stay was uneventful. I felt very well taken care of.

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

none

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

The first week I was very sore. It hurt to cough, breathe deeply and I had a job getting comfortable to go to sleep.

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

It was a little rough at first but doable. It gets better every day. I am currently 17 days out.

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

I had a 10 minute ride to the hospital. This makes getting to appts. a breeze.

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.

Right now nothing is appealing. I mean I'm hungry and then I get it in front of me and I don't want it. I eat some of it because I know that I have to eat but really I don't want it.

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

The first week and a half I really did not do too much I slept alot. This week I have been up and around the house I've also been walking on the treadmill.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, people have all kinds of time for me now