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

My friend had the surgery done 6 years ago.

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

The procedure was at first denied not because my insurance didn't offer the coverage but because my husband's employer had chosen not to carry it. Then a court case came up where one branch of the company was offering the coverage and the result was that all branches of the company would have to offer the coverage. We appealed the denial and the surgery was approved but not until we had already paid $20,000 up front. Hopefully, we will get some of that money back.

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

Informative and interesting. Dr. Ross takes the time to get to know each of his patients. He is a very caring person.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I could not walk more than 10 steps without running out of breath, I could not sleep correctly, I had diabetes II, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and was taking about 20 pills a day.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By researching the internet and my local hospital was not offering the lap band surgery at the time.

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 figured if I died during surgery, at least I would not have to be concerned about being obese. At one point, my pain medication got the better of me and the nurses, etc. could not wake me. They kept telling to wake up and I kept saying, "No, just let me go. I am fat and no good." Looking back, I realize that having the surgery was just as much for my psychological well being as it was for my overall health.

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?

Every person in my family was totally supportive of my decision. My son was a bit hesitant at first, fearing for my safety, but he finally could understand why the surgery was necessary.

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

Again, very supportive. I was totally honest with my principal about the surgery and why I needed it. I am still out of work, having missed 6 weeks so far. I will probably go back in another 2 weeks or so.

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

I was in the hospital for 6 days, including 2 days in the ICU. Do not bring anything of value to the hospital.

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

Yes, the pain medication caused my breathing to be irregular and so they pulled me off of all pain medication which was a pain, literally. I spent 2 days in the ICU, working on expanding my lungs, etc.

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 missed one class pre-surgery which caused my surgery date to be put off by 2 weeks - I think (I know) I missed it on purpose because I was afraid, not of having the surgery, but of what my life would be like afterwards.

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

Do not push yourself. Take the time to rest and take care of yourself. Remember to eat SLOWLY and to try out different foods one at a time.

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

About 10-12 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.

I could not eat salads or pizza - those are the two things that stick out in my mind. But I was also amazed at how many of the foods that I like that I could eat, just much, much less than I used to.

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

Low - my stomach was still very uncomfortable and my ankles swelled up badly.

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

Chewable multiple vitamin, Tums (2 a day) and Vitamin B-12 shot once a month

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?

I had nausea especially if I ate too fast and the food that I ate would come right back up. I also found that I could only sleep for 2 to 3 hours at time, if that. No dumping so far.

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

The anticipation

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

There is a group that meets at the hospital once a month. I have only gone to one meeting but it looks as if they will be helpful.

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

The doctor did part of my surgery with the small incisions and part with a regular incision that runs about 10-12 inches down the middle of my stomach. I have 5 other small incision sites.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I sometimes feel as if the weight is not coming off fast enough. I also get frustrated when I am up able to complete a task because of fatigue or loss of breath.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, somewhat. They keep congratulating me on having the surgery. The women especially want to know when I am having plastic surgery and when will I go shopping for new clothes.