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

My daughter had had bariatic surgery and was having excellent results. A friend found an article in the Washington Post about the surgery and we decided to go to a seminar. She had her surgery one week before me and is also doing great.

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

Dr. Saharwal took care of everything with the insurance company and as a result, my experience was really painless.

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

My first visit was attending a seminar where pre and post operative patients discussed the surgery. After a brief video presentation, an explanation was given by the doctors. Most of my questions were answered at the seminar. By the time that I had my first office visit I was ready to go.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I travel for my job. One day while changing planes at the Dallas airport, I had problems breathing. I thought I was having a heart attack. That more than anything convinced by to do something about my weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The information that was presented at the seminar helped me to decide the procedure that I wanted.

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 thought about dying and other complications but I did not dwell on them. That is my advice to other patients considering the surgery. What is the alternatives to staying fat, aren't those risks higher?

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, daughters, and friends were very supportative. In fact, I only told individuals that I knew would support me in this endeavor.

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

I did not tell my supervisor about the surgery until I returned to work.

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 blessedly short. I entered on the morning of my surgery and was released the next evening. I really did not need anything during my stay but family and friends.

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

I did not experience any complications from my surgery and for this I am thankful.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

After I got my surgery date I kept thinking, "Oh my God, I cannot believe that I am really doing this." Then I would talk to my support group (family/friends) and they would allay my fears.

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

My first few weeks at home were great. I had energy for the first time in years. I did not know that I felt so bad.

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

The hospital was within 40 miles of my home.

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.

By the end of the first month, I was eating solid foods. It did take several months before I could eat beef or pork.

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

My level of activity has greatly increased. I have so much energy that it scares me at times.

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

I take Flintstones Iron, Multi-Vitamin, Liquid B-12, Calcium Citrate, and Vitamin C each day.

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?

The only side effect that I have experienced is dumping. You only do that once and it's enough to correct your behavior.

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

The worst part about the entire bariatric surgery is the preparation that is done on the day before.

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

My surgeon has a monthly support group that meets and we talk about our surgery experiences. We also share information on vitamins, protein drinks, etc.

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

Since I did not have open surgery I do not have a scar. My five little incisions are almost non-existent.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have only had one plateau and that was during my seventh month. I thought that I would never break 170 lbs but I succeeded.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I find that people treat you different when you are skinny. Strangers are more apt to start conversations with you and the men...