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

Many years ago, in the early 90's I had planned to have WLS. I had to have other surgey and saw a doc that was planning to do it. I didn't know until I awoke 3 days later that I didn't have wls. The other medical issues were pressing and did not allow me to have all the surgery at one time. Life fast forwarded...I adopted a child and just had to play fat for a long time. I didn't have time for additional surgery. Looking back, I am so glad that surgery was 10 years later. Techniques have been improved, the hospital stay is so much shorter and technology improved to the point where I could have LAP surgery and be home with my child in a very short time.

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

I had no problems. I accumulated all of my paperwork, took it to the doc and they did the work.

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

I loved my surgeon from the start. I had very specific questions like how many deaths, specific follow up plans etc but I was armend with knowledge about surgery, risks and outcomes. By using this site I needed none of the basic or mechanical information. I knew what to expect and actually had time to chat with my doc about life.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Looking at my son and knowing that I was cheating him was all the motivation I needed to have surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My child has multiple disabilities. The choice of LAP was the best for me. I searched until I found a few docs that would do LAP on BMIs over 40. I traveled out of state (only a 4 hour drive) to go to a doc that had done many LAPs on very large people with success/

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 can honestly say that I had no fear of surgery. I knew that I could die from surgery. At the point of my surgery date, I was dying anyway from the fat and related illnesses. By chosing surgery, I only took my fate into my own hands.

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?

I had no support initially and lost my "fat loving boyfriend". My Mother was more concerned that I would die and she would have to raise my child. I went forth regardless of how anyone else felt. There is really nothing I would change. Some of us have family that only talk to us because we are related. To say that there is true love and concern there would be a joke.

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 employer what type of surgical procedure that I was having. As it worked out, I had been on medical leave with my child becuase he had been hospitalized for 1 1/2 months before I had my WLS.

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

I arrived at the hospital at 5:45 on a Monday and left at 11:00 on a Tuesday. My potassium ran very low which caused the extra day there. I took very little. One change of clothes to wear home, a robe, brush, toothpaste/toothbrush and a book.

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

NOO :)

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

I felt so good after the first day home. My ride home was 5 hours that was a little uncomfortable but nothing major. The first few days I stayed up and rested after around 4 hours. I didn't lift anything and followed the doc's orders!! The first several weeks my biggest problem was the terrible dry mouth. My incision healed fast and was no pain at all.

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

I made a trip that is about 4 hours. I had to go back in 2 weeks instead of two. I had done so well with no problems that my surgeon allowed me to not return for 2 months instead of the usual 1 month. My PCP is doing all my labs and she is providing great care. My surggeon told me that I would return in 6 months and 12 months unless I had problems.

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.

The first few days I only had water. I was on liquids for 2 weeks post op. I did have a little jello but when I tried can broth I dumped really bad. By week 2 I was ready to move to soft food. Yogurt, potatoes and other purees were started. I had no problem once I got passed the way it looked. At 6 weeks I started meats and as many proteins as I could get in. I am now at week 10 and can eat most foods except for bread. I am low carbing so that is just as well.

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

I attend a local support group that meets one time a month. My surgeon has a group but it is more then a 4 hour drive. I receive my daily support from OBESITYHELP.COM and the many friends that I have made online.

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

My scars are fading and are very tiny..I knew what to expect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am one week shy of 3 months, so far I had not had a plateau. I am now at 9 months out. The weight loss has slowed down but I continue to lose some weight each month. Some months I lose very little then seem to pick it back up the next month and lose a larger share of weight

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES YES YES...I have been told by many people that I look so good and healthy. People that tended not to talk to me before now greet me or speak to me at work.