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

I knew people who had bariatric surgery and truthfully it terrified me for a long time. Of course today (2008) it is such a different surgery and I finally realized I had so much to gain.

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

I was very lucky (I have BCBS PPO) that my insurance approved me quickly and has been great about paying for so much.

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

I am lucky and have the greatest bariatric surgeon in the world. My first visit only convinced me that he was patient and knowledgeable. The best advice I can give is to be prepared and do your research so you can ask lots of questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Finding a surgeon I was comfortable with and realizing the benefits out weighed the risks.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The information my surgeon shared in a seminar helped me make an informed decision about which surgery would fit my needs best. I decided I needed more than what the lap-band could do for me and wasn't willing to deal with some of the side effects of the duodenal switch. I was lucky enough to have a surgeon who did the three different surgeries (lap-band, RNY, and DS) so I could compare.

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 worried. I thought about backing out the morning of surgery. It's normal to worry about having major surgery. But really this amazing tool is worth it.

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?

People who I was worried would overreact or be upset were more understanding than I could have believed. I think bariatric surgery has lost a lot of the negative connotations it once raised. I had lots of support post-op from my family and friends.

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

I had actually been laid off and took advantage of the time off to have surgery.

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

My stay in the hospital was better than I expected. I had surgery on Tuesday and came home Thursday. The one thing I brought that I most appreciated was my favorite pillow.

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

My only complication was that my blood sugar spiked during surgery so I was put on an insulin IV post-op and they had to test my sugar every hour.

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 felt great post-op. I had very little pain (I only took pain meds once after I got home). I didn't have a lot of problems with nausea. I have really been lucky. Two or three days post-op I decided the surgery wasn't going to work (even though I wasn't hungry and was feeling great) but it was completely mental. I talked to a lot of post-op friends and worked through the negative feelings.

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

I can't tell people what to expect. Everyone I know who has had surgery has had such different experiences. I spend a lot of time trying to get my vitamins, protein, and water in. I walk every day. Some people complain of having no energy or lots of pain or nausea.

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

My hospital was with 20 minutes of my house. I did appreciate having a pillow to hug as bumps/pot holes were no fun on the ride 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 am just over a month out and am still on a pureed diet. I have not had problems eating anything I have tried (including non-fat milk). The only thing that makes me feel sick is eating to fast or to much.

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

I haven't had the problems with fatigue some complain about. I was back cleaning house and walking within a few days (just had to remember not to pick up anything to heavy).

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

I take a multi-vitamin, calcium supplement, and Foltrin.

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?

I am five months out and the "worst" was probably vomiting but I know I was lucky and it didn't happen very often (and usually I knew why it happened).

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

The fear. The fear of complications or even dying or of failing at my weight loss.

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

My surgery center has a great support group that meets monthly and I have OH.

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

I expected my scars to be much worse. At over a year post op they have already faded a lot.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Five minutes of the scale not moving seems like a plateau at some points. My loss slowed a lot after about 9 months but has continued to slowly move down. I can't give much advice on this because I still get discouraged even though I have done so well.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, but some of it could be my attitude. I am much more comfortible in my skin now.