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

My mother had the surgery (BPD) 18 months before I did. I was dead-set against it, but watched and learned.

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

Be persistent. Get legal representation, if necessary.

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

Do your research! Go armed with questions about aftercare, how many surgeries this surgeon has done. How does s/he define "success"? Does his/her office feel like a surgery mill, or like a place where they genuinely care for their patients (more than their own bottom line).

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was unhappy -- I was 22 and weighed 320 lbs -- I wanted a chance at a "normal" life and I was terrified of losing my health.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Liked what I knew about BPD and the idea of living "normally" post-operatively. Didn't like what I heard about "restrictive" surgeries. They seemed more punitive than helpful.

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?

Don't remember. It was so long ago.

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?

They were supportive -- more supportive than I would have guessed.

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 for 4 weeks. They were supportive and accomodating.

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

None. I'm grateful for the DS email list. I am considering starting my own list for long-term BPD-alums. (Contact me if interested.)

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

I had an open surgery (lap wasn't available then). Light pink scar, 7 inches long, going from belly button to bottom of my rib cage.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

In a year, I went from 320 to 220. Stayed there for years. Then I was laid off work, got depressed, stop exercising, and went up to 230-240 lbs, where I stayed for 2 years. I changed my eating (in order to try to resolve other health issues) and -- much to my surprise -- lost weight. Now at 200 lbs and still dropping. (Biggest change was not eating any junk food -- especially sugar!)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Sure. Most folks I encounter never knew I used to be so fat. (I'm still large -- about a size 18/20.) I feel like I "blend" in with regular folks.