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

My first impression was I was scared to death. But I knew that it was either have it and take the risk of dying, or not have it and definitely die.

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

I had so many other medical conditions and was on Oregon medicaid and medicare and it was a matter of life or death for me that it was covered. But not before having to fight for it.

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

My first meeting was a scary one but I took my mom with me and he explained everything that we needed to know, and we made sure before we got there that we had every question that might come up written down so it could be asked and answered. Basically, if you don't understand something ask, ask, ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to live.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't decide. The doctor did every kind of workup, talked with my local PCP, and decided on what procedure would be best for me overall, and in the long run. He was very thorough and I was very lucky to have gotten him.

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?

For me I was petrified, but I also knew that if I didn't try it I would for sure die. And I don't believe that I would be here today if it weren't for my family, friends, prayers and God and wanting to live.

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?

My family and friends were of course concerned but they were behind me every step of the way. And I will communicate that when you are very ill and have a life changeing surgery, you also find out just who your true friends are.

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

I had been out of work for several years due to my health deteriorating and was disabled at the time.

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

I believe I was in the hospital for about 9 days and then I came home to my local hosp. for another 19 days to recover. Bring only the neccesities and if possible a relative to speak for you when you can't.

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

Yes, I did have complications from the surgery, but the doctor's dealt with it and it worked out fine. I had my mother with me and she helped out more than anything by making sure that she knew what was going on when I was unable. The doctor's and staff took excellent care of me.

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 was scared to death but I just kept talking to family and friends and came to this website and read the questions forum and it helped tremendously.

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

I am not your normal experience so you can't really go by my experience on this quesiton.

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

I traveled 304 miles one way for my surgery and no it did not affect my aftercare as I have a very good PCp here in my hometown who kept in constant contact with my surgeon in Portland.

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 am still finding that some things I can have one day and not the next day, nothing ever stays the same. And so I have to watch daily what I am eating.

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

Again, I had other complications so this does not apply to me.

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

I take every vitamin that my surgeon recommended as you do not absorb all the nutrients needed from food.

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

I had family and my friends and local doctor to help me as well as in home health care but that is because I had other complications. And I did not attend any support group or program afterwards as my recovery time took a very long time due to other complications.

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

My scar is huge and I have no belly button and that bothers me. But my scar is due to complications from other medical procedures I had done.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit one really long, long plateau but once I realized that I needed activity in my life and needed to eat healthier things got 100 percent better and I started losing again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, and no, there are people who treat me better and that really bothers me as I am still the same person I allways was, just healthier and skinnier.