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

I had bariatric surgery in 1980 a VBG and it was a failure. I gave up until recently when my health problems frightened me. I looked into revision and then had a RNY in Nov. 09.

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

I was approved. The process is long, but i am glad I had surgery.

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

My local surgeon denied me based on complications. I found another one with more experience in a larger city and had world class care. I was much more comfortable with my second surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew my health was in a serious state. I decided I wanted a better quality of life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I asked the second physician to help me decide and I went with his recommendation.

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 felt more fearful of dying if I did NOT have the surgery.

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 handled it well and strategically. They 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 out of work for 5 weeks. I just filled out forms and submitted them. I did not verbally tell my supervisor.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

It was informative.

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

i stayed 5 days. The clinic provided literally everything. I didn't even need a toothbrush. I tried bringing a puzzle book but i was on quite a bit of medication and i didn't do many puzzles.

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

No complications post surgery while in the hospital, but i had a long surgery due to scarring and a revision.

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 very very weak and very very much in pain. I worried about regaining strength.

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

I would tell people to expect to be down and stay down and take it easy. Walk around the house but get lots of rest.

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

One and 1/2 hour's drive. (70 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.

Liquids, milk, sugar free popsicles....then soft items like sugar free yogurt, protein shakes, cream soups. It was fine if I went easy.

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

Very low. Extremely low.

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

Childrens vitamins at first, then later a Prenatal vitamin, b12, biotin, calcium carbonate then later calcium citrate, C, D

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

Updates with the clinic and ObesityHelp.com. I go online to that site daily.

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

Little holes and a couple lines. I expected scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

A few plateaus but hints from veterans on the ObesityHelp site is what helped me through them.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I hate to make this observation but there is definitely a higher degree of respect.