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

Heard about it from others. My initial impression was that it was something that I should investigate, but also that it was for really desperate fat people and I did not know if I was that desperate.

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

The only struggle that I had was that it took some time. I was approved on the first try.

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

My surgery was 4 years ago. WLS has come along way in helping the patient to understand and be invested in the process. My visit was very straightforward, but he was encouraging and positive and a really nice guy.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had huge amounts of weight to lose and did not know how to lose it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

RNY was offered laproscopically and this seemed to be the easiest with regard to recovery.

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?

Slight fear that I would die, my kids were 6 and 8 and I did not want to screw them up because of this decision. I would tell others that I am pretty sure that the risks of morbid obesity are far greater than the risks of surgery. And if they don't lose weight they will die.

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 husband is my greatest cheerleader and has been every step of the way. All of my family and friends were supportive.

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

I was working in a non-profit chock full of social workers, they were incredibly supportive. I told them everything. I was out of work for 6 weeks, but only because they kept insisting that I not rush back, I could have easily come back after 2 weeks.

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 under 48 hours. The stay was uneventful. Bring a pair of shoes that you can slip on.

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

The only complication was that I discovered that I was allergic to the surgical tape that covered my tiny incisions (5). I had an incredibly itchy rash for about a month. I used a OTC cortisone cream which worked but only over time.

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 felt fine physically/mentally for about the first 6 weeks.

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

I had my surgery on a Thursday, came home on a Saturday and got on my treadmill the next day, Sunday...I have never looked back. I don't know what people should expect, my surgery was a few days before 9/11 and I thought that the only thing that would change was me...how selfish! The world changed...and so did I!

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

Hospital is 20 minutes from my house. I went to a few follow-up appointments, and one or two with the nutritionist and never went back.

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.

It has been a while, so I don't really remember. And I cannot document how over time I was progressively able to eat more food and more variety. At nearly four years post-op I would say that I can eat everything and probably lots of it. Believing that, I make healthy choices and sometimes indulge, but I count every calorie and write everything down as I eat it and never take a vacation from the scale!

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

As I said above, 3 days after surgery I got on my treadmill and have been (running from the fat monster) ever since. I started out at a 1% incline and 2 MPH and built up from there.

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

B-12, Calcium and a Multi-Vitamin.

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 have never experienced dumping, or any of the side effects above.

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

The hospital stay.

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

I have been studying behavior modification since 6 weeks post-op. I realized that the only thing different about me was that I had a smaller stomach. In other words, I was still the same me and had the same food issues and it wasn't until I was in the grocery store that I realized I needed help to move on and learn new behaviors. I believe that behavior modification (replacing old behaviors with new and positive ones) is the single most important avenue for success. Note that behavior mod is typically not covered by insurance (ridiculous!) and I spend $125/hr. once a week to reinforce what I have learned and am continuing to learn...the single best investment I have made!

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

I have 5 tiny scars. No big deal.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost around 90# in the first 18 months and then about 20# over the next 2 years. I think I had to mentally catch up with what I looked like for those 2 years. Having come to terms with my self-image, I have lost 22# in the last 6 months and have about 14# more to goal.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Somewhat. I never really felt discrimination.