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

Husband had the surgery done first with great success.

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

It took 10 months from inital MD request to approval. Lenght of time was longer because my PCP had an emergancy leave of absense and no one else would provide the info needed in her absence. Best advice is to have all your ducks lined up and well documented. I obtained all my medical files for the past 10 years.

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

Smooth and relaxed. I was very prepared with a lot of reading and research, so I didn't have to futz around with the basic questions. I like things short and to the point.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Risk of stroking out at any moment. Wanting to enjoy life to the fullest.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I left that up to the surgeon.

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 or concerns. Once I decided, i plowed on through the process, not once regretting or questioning the decision.

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?

Spouse was very supportive. Rest of family concerned and didn't think I needed the surgery. No one tried to talk me out of surgery once I explained the reasons why i needed it. Now, of course, they say it's the best thing I could have done for myself.

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

I didn't tell my supervisor until I was approved. I told her I needed a lifesaving surgery that may change the way I view life afterwards and possibly my job. I was out for 6 weeks. Most of my co-workers are quite supportive and my success has inspired most to imporve their lives too.

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

Hospital stay went smooth, even when the poswer went out for an hour! I was in for 3 days. Most important is cell phone and chapstick.

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

None.

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

First week was hell. Each day got better and I was full of energy. No anxiety for me. I was living life.

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

Expect some discomfort and soreness. Needed help getting in and out of bed. Can't drive for a week. No hunger/appetite. Forcing self to eat and getting tired of broth/soup/jello.

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

35 miles. Takes more time in planning as it takes time. I generally have to take the whole day off from work to get to appointments.

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 was able to progress my diet more quickly and was eating small amounts of regular food within a month. Started with 1-2 ounces at a time. Now I can eat 4-6 ounces of food. I eat a little bit of anything I want.

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

Great energy pretty consistently until near goal weight. Had a month of dropped levels as hit platuea. Now since adjusted and back to gung ho.

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

Calcium, Multi-vit, Iron, B-12, folic acid, Juice Plus, beta carotene, fish oil.

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?

Hair loss was the worse, starting about 3 months out. I ended up cutting my hair real short to mask how thin it got. It started to thicken back up and return to normal around 7 months.

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

I do miss hot fudge sundaes...fudge just is gross now.

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

On-line groups. Meeting up with people in the area at planned events. Very important to stay in touch. Only those who have walked in your shoesa know what's really going on.

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

I have 6 small, 1/2 inch scars that are faint. Scars have shrank by 1/2-1 inch as weight came off. I heal well and quickly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit plataue once I got within 10 lbs of gaol weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yep...I get plenty of free drinks now.