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

Through a friend. I was all for it from the beginning.

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

It was very easy for me. My doctor took care of everything. I think that the best advice is to find a doctor who can write a good letter of medical necessity.

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

Being informed and writing down any questions you may have ahead of time is the best way to get the most out of your first visit. I do not like to be baby sat. Therefore, I did my research ahead of time and when I went to the doctor, I knew what I wanted and what it entailed. I just wanted to get it over with. He gave me a surgery dates and operated on me. I am very independent and do not like to have a doctor or his staff being on top of me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to be able to walk home without swollen feet. I wanted to be able to wear pretty clothes and to run up and down stairs. Also, I did not want to keep on gaining weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor I chose due to his vast experience only does VBG. Since I was sure this was the surgeon I wanted, then VBG it was. I am not a sweets eater, therefore, sugars never concerned me.

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 never had those fears. I am a very determined person and am strong as an ox. I never thought I was going to die and I was right.

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 did not inform my family until two weeks before the surgery. Some of them approved, others were scared and others outright disagreed. It was my decision and nobody else's. I did not need anyone to hold my hand in accomplishing what I had set out to do. I do not mean to sound like a bitch, but I think that too much is made out of this surgery. I have had major surgery before and this is no different, no better or worse. Being an adult, I think I can handle a little pain.

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

I told my boss the truth from the beginning and he was very supportive. I was out of work for one week.

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

My stay in the hospital was uneventful. The nurses were great. The halls were carpeted which helped at night since you could not hear the footsteps of the nurses as they made their rounds. I was in the hospital for 3 days. I would recommend bringing nothing to the hospital. The most comfortable item of clothing you can wear while in the hospital is a hospital gown. You cannot wear panties due to the incision. They provide socks for you and everything you need for personal hygiene. Books are out of the question. The first day you are in pain and heavily sedated. And the other two days you are still on pain meds which does not really make reading enjoyable. The hospital gave me everything down to a toothbrush.

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

I had none. I came out of recovery at 5:00 p.m., and was pacing the halls by 8:00 p.m.

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 was excited and happy. Since I knew my eating days were over, I enjoyed all my favorite meals and kept myself busy with work and housework.

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

The most difficult period is this period for me. This surgery is a weapon in the battle against the bulge, not a solution. Learning what to eat and how much is extremely difficult. I am mourning food and crave all those things I know I cannot have. I am sure this will come to pass as I adjust. But I can tell you, this is 1,000 times more difficult than the surgery.

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

The hospital is about 20 minutes from my house.

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 am on my 15th day post-op. So far, I have only had problems digesting cheese. The rest has been no problem.

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

I have been walking an average of one mile from day 5 after surgery. I was back to work a week later and have done everything I used to do before surgery since that time.

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

Children's chewables.

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?

If I eat one more bite than I am supposed to, I get severe symptoms. It feels like a grown person is jumping up and down on my chest. I start spitting out what looks like white foam and I feel stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey for approximately 3 hours. This has happened 3 times. I have now learned my lesson.

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

Relearning to eat, realizing that food is not the center of your universe and that there are other things to life.

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

None. I use this website constantly, though.

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

Since my surgeon glues your incision together, the scar is a very thin line starting at the base of my breasts and ending at my belly button. It is much better than I thought it would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Too soon to tell.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Too soon to tell.