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

I had a workmate who did gastric bypass. SHe lost about 100 lbs in 6 months and she seemed really happy with it. She told me to do gastric bypass instead of lap band.

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

Do everything ASAP. I made it a priority to knock off the hit list my surgeon gave me. Take the earliest available appointments on everything. Screw your job.

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

Ask the right questions like...how many surgerys have you performed, how many years exp, any deaths, or leaks etc. If he says he never had a leakage hes a liar.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I hated my life being fat and unmotivated/depressed

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had Open Gastric bypass. I figure the doctor needs to look at the stomach in real life not on a camera to make sure everything is right, and actually operate on me with his own hands not some robotic ones. The liproscopic one didn't seem

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?

The statistics are off. The majority of the deaths are for the super morbidly obese over 500 lbs. Those people are much harder to operate on, or have other health problems going into surgery. If you are around 250-350 I think the chances of dying from complications are alot lower.

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?

They hated the idea. They thought I would die. They told me to exercise and diet. My dad was still trying to talk me out of it the day of the surgery...After surgery they were supportive.

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

Out of work for 2 weeks. They were supportive

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

yes the people shared some good stories that were motivational.

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

4 days. extra soft pillow is nice when you cough u hold it.

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

NO, thank god. I did have some negative things happen tho while my life become more active. I tore the lebrum in my left shoulder from roller skating. I also had a herpes scare from an ex girlfriend....i thought I got it but I didn't. these things are negative but its a positive part about being a different person. When I was heavy I would never try to roller skate, and I wasn't having to worry about STD's beacuse I wasnt having sex!

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

great

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

Alot of rest, but within a week after you feel great. Eating is a challenge. Alot of jello

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

15 miles or so. I was fortunate to have a hospital close to 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.

I could tolerate mostly everything. I would have an occasional dumping when I over indulge on ice cream or cake

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

I tried to keep walking

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

4 x a day take a special bariatric formulated vitamin

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?

dumping, some hair loss, and some wounds on my back would not heal if I scratch them. everything fixed itself after a year.

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

Worst part was waiting for the approval.

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

Its a vertical scar about three inches long. Its red and a little raised. People stare at it at the pool/beach.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. since I feel more confident. People see me in a different way. Being a CPA also gives me confidence in every social situation now.