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

My PCP brought it up and told me that I should go to a seminar. Thank you Dr Major!

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

I had a pretty easy go of it. The only probelm I had was that where /when I wanted to go, my insurerer, BCBSNJ was having a contractual dispute with HCA and the hospital/doc I wanted to go to were an HCA affiliate. Once I waited for that to be settled (almost a year) I began the process and I was apporved on the first try.

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

ASK QUESTIONS! My doc answered all of my questions before I asked them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was willing to die now the way I wanted to die than risk having a long and painful death. I was ready to take that chance. I was tired of being this way. I knew there was more to life than what I had been living AND BOY, WAS I RIGHT!

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 had no fears about surgery or dying. My fears were that it would not work for me.

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 friends and family are angels. Everyone was very supportive and that made my journey much easier. My best friend is having the surgery soon because of my success.

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

Everyone was/is supportive of me. I was out of work for two weeks.

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

I went in on a Thursday and came home Sunday. I would only bring extra pillows and sundry items. The rest are things that you really don't need.

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

No

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 only had one week and I was just waiting for the date to come so it would be over with and I could get on with my new life.

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

You have a lot of energy in the mornings, but that can get away from you rather quickly. Drink loads and loads of water, when you think you can't drink anymore, drink more.

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

25 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.

The first thing I wanted when I was able to go onto pureed foods was a scrambled egg with cheese. I had been thinking about this for two weeks and you would have thought it was steak or lobster the way I had been looking forward to it. When I smelled it, it made me sick. I have not eaten an egg since (3 months post op). I am able to eat most things so far.

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

I walked and walked. Then when I was cleared to swim, I did that also.

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

2 Flinstones a day, Calcium and B12 once a week.

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?

Frothing and nausea were a common thing for a few weeks, but here lately I have not had many problems.

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

The liquid diet I was on for a week BEFORE surgery.

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

Support group meetings once a month. I really enjoy them. It is nice to hear other people's stories.

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

After having gall bladder surgery 20 years ago, this was nothing. Seven little scars are worth the emotional scars that have present my entire life. These scars fade, emotional ones do not.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet..3 month post op

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet