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

I had known about it in a general sense, but it wasn't until I watched a friend go through it that I began considering it myself and began the process of truly investigating it.

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

I thought the approval process was fairly easy. My doctor's office did all the work for me. Maybe because I was well qualified for the surgery or because my insurance was willing to cover it, I'm not sure, but it appeared fairly straight forward. I believe I had approval in 2 weeks.

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

I stayed for 2 nights at Chapman Medical Center in Orange, CA. I think the only hard thing was getting help to get the pressure things off my legs so I could walk. I finally started taking them off myself, but I couldn't get them going again without a nurses help. I don't think you need to bring anything other than a toothbrush, a hairbrush and a good attitude and determination to start off doing what they tell you to do. As soon as I found out that someone did 50 laps around the floor at the hospital, I did 60. I wanted to get this whole thing right!

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

About 14 months out, I suddenly developed INTENSE abdominal pain. Unfortunately, I ended up going to the local ER, never once thinking that it was related to my bariatric surgery. That was my first mistake. The ER doctor did tests and thought he saw some gallstones (mind you, just 14 months earlier in my pre-op testing for my bariatric surgery I was told I had none). He recommended that I have my gallbladder removed even though everything inside me knew that it was not a gallstone attack. The next day I had it removed. 48 hours later the same pain occurred. The surgeon's best idea was to put me back in the hospital for 4 days on morphine and let it pass. It did, but heck, what did I know after 4 days on morphine. I left there depressed and worried as that pain was horrific. 3 weeks later I doubled over at work and this time I called my bariatric doctor. Dr. Braverman knew what it was and told me to go to Chapman Medical Center ER and he would meet me there. Dr. Quebbeman left his vacation and met me there. He had me in surgery in no time at all and fixed an internal hernia and it has never bothered me again. He is an amazing doctor!!

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 had some anxiety, but really it was more excitement. I wanted a change and it felt good to know that one was coming, like it or not. The two weeks on the liquid diet was a little rough but not horrible since I knew I was doing it for a good reason and still the anticipation was keeping me going.

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

I think the fact that this procedure is so minimally invasive is a huge bonus. Laprascopic surgery is definately the way to go. Within 3 days I was doing laundry and cleaning and walking like crazy. I felt perfectly fine. Obviously you need to take care not to lift or eat anything, but I felt fine. Even the little incisions were painless. Now, the liquid diet got old going into the 2nd week. No variations on the shakes were helping me get them down and I was desperate to eat. I did as I was told though and persevered. I found that if I didn't make a big deal about how and when I did my shake, it helped. For instance, I'd make the shake in my magic bullet and take it out on a walk. Being distracted rather than sitting on the couch and thinking about it was helpful for me.

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

The program I used had a lifestyle management component that I found immensely beneficial and I went every single week for the better part of 16 months. I also had friends to talk to who had done this. I did find that everyone's journey is different, particularly as time goes on, so you find that eventually you need to take your own path and find people who maybe are a little more like you to talk to and identify with.

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

I had no scars. The ones from the bariatric surgery faded away almost completely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT!! Based on everything I researched, and everyone I spoke to, I EXPECTED to plateau right around 65-70 percent of my excess weight. I pre-planned that at 65% I would join a gym and get a personal trainer. I saved the money in advance and gave myself no options. I didn't care what anyone said. It didn't matter that I was still heavy and somewhat embarrassed to be at a gym. It didn't matter that I didn't want to do it. It was part of my plan and I simply did it like a to-do list. That proved to be the most important part of my plan. I did stall right about 60% and frankly, I've lost 98 percent of my excess weight since then and I attribute it to taking that step.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes. Certainly there seems to be less staring at the "fat girl" and if anything a few stares at the cute girl. Men open doors, which I find funny. I have no idea why they don't open doors for fat women. People don't ask me if I need to "rest" when we're walking around.