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

Just asked my GP if there was any surgery available and would I qualify. He made an appointment with the bariatric surgeon in a city near us. Within a week, there was an extensive article in the local paper about WLS and from that I found our local web site. It took a whole year to get in to see the surgeon.

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

My husband has been 100% supportive of me. Where I live RNY is covered totally by medical but - it can take up to five years or more to get the surgery. After my second Dr. appt. (and I had met someone who had been to Mexico) I was very distraught, and my husband suggested we go into our line of credit, learn all we could and go south.

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

My visit was totally awesome. I was not prepared with questions, but the doctor told me everything I needed to know and what would be expected of me. Not to focus on the food as much to start but to get on an excersise program, and to register for a 10k walk coming up in three months. I was totally pumped when I left his office. When I came for my next appt. I was going to be set up with his 'team'.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My second visit four months after the first was a total disaster. I was in the office for three and a half hours and saw the doctor for less than two minutes. Half hour in the waiting room and all the rest of the time in a closed, smelly, consultation room. Absolutely nothing was accomplished. With great pride I took in my exercise journal and my number from the 10k that I had completed. None of it was looked at or even now seemed to be very important. I felt insignificant and stupid when I left the appt. There were two of us in the waiting room when I got there, the room was crammed (maybe 40) when I left. I was crushed and defeated. My husband talked to me about the surgery and would I want to go out of the country. I knew someone who had done that, but didn't know the story. I learned all I could on line and through this woman. Also, made arrangements at our bank and went forward with our plans.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read everything I could and knew that the lapband was not for me. I think the sleeve was very very new when I did my research and actually don't think I saw any info on it. The logical choice for me at my age was RNY. I talked with my GP about going out of the country and he had had another patient who had done the same. I was assured that he would monitor me every month when I came home. He does and I have blood work every three months.

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?

It didn't occur to me that I might die from the surgery. I was going to Mexico and am terrified of flying, so was very frightened of the plane crashing.

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 have no generation above me and only two daughters. One I don't have a lot of contact with and the oldest is very opinionated so I didn't tell her.

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

I told my co-worker and took two weeks off work. I was entitled to the vacation time so their wasn't much she could say. We work with six men that we very seldom see and she is very discrete and I totally trusted her not to say anything. She didn't.

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

I went into the hospital on Wednesday and went back to the hotel on Sunday. I was treated royally even though there was a language barrier with the nurses. All the Dr. spoke English. They were very efficient and took care of all my needs.

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

No

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

My only anxiety was flying. I was very elated to be having the surgery, and had no misgivings at all.

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

The only thing that bothered me was the stitches, as they were pulling. I had them removed on the 12th day and I think that was too long to wait. Other than that, I have had no discomfort at all.

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

I see my GP once a month and belong to a WLS group.

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

It was done laposcopically so I don't think I will have much scarring. Besides, I will be 60 in a month and don't think I will be flashing anyone.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It has only been 3 1/2 weeks since my surgery and yes I have already hit a plateau. It is very discouraging but I am thinking positive and doing lots of reading in the web sites.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No