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

Research it for over 10 yrs. After attending the free seminar, was able to do more focused research on appropriate options for me.

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

WLS is excluded in my health insurance policy. I didn't want to have to go through the appeals processes, so I financed the surgery on my own. I figured I spent more then this on cars, why not invest in myself.

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

Excellent. I had a list of questions that were all answered. Do your research before your consultation and you will get the most benefit out of it

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I thought about waiting 6 months then decided that would just give me 6 more months of status quo. I could either have the surgery now and already have lost weight or weight 6 months and have surgery likely at a higher weight

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lots of research (internet and you tube)

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?

B/c of informed consent and all of the work you must do prior to your surgery -- it is easy to start worrying about complications. The fact is all surgeries have risks/complications and these procedures are not any riskier. If health insurance companies would stop fighting against them procedures and just accept that they are a legitimate tool for fighting obesity, I believe society as a whole would embrace them much better and be overall healthier

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?

Nothing but unbelievable support. My sister was worried about the risks/complications but I tried to educate her. Everyone I shared my decision with understood that I felt I had to do something

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

Did not tell employer why I was having surgery. I was off work for 2 days and then able to work from home the following week parttime. I went back into the office a week after surgery and worked about 30 hours.

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

I had a wonderful hospital room (private). The staff were all very kind and supportive. I was only there 1 night. Bring you own pillows. If you experience pain, ask for meds (they are there to make you comfortable)

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

No complications

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

Still pretty tired - not eating a full diet yet so this is understandable. I also have mild pain in my stomach area but nothing that even requires medication. Just getting rest seems the best thing.

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

I'm only 2 weeks post-op. I have been fortunate to have a great deal of help (especially with my 4 yr old). Tiredness is my biggest complaint.

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

less than 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.

I haven't eaten anything that I couldn't tolerate yet. I have really stuck to the stagged diet plan (clear liquids, full liquids and soft foods). I do look forward to the day I can have meet again in about 2 weeks (turkey and chicken sound like heaven right now)

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

My activity level so far has been low. I'm just very tired. Hopefully we start to get moving now that protein is in my diet.

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

Flinstones MV plus iron. Tums for calcium. Unjury protein shakes

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?

B/c I take meds for sleep. It seems they don't work as well crushed up. So again, I am more tired then I expected.

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

The 10 day pre-surgery clear liquid diet. It was an extreme challenge (mentally and physically) the first 3 days.

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

Nutrition and support available through surgeon's program. I prefer online forums like obesityhelp and thinnertimes

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

Single incision in my belly button. It looks really good. I bet in 6 months you will not be able to even see it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Bored with the foods I can eat right now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. More openly discussing my challenge with eating the right foods with frieds and family