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

A physician mentioned it to me two years ago and a balked. "I don't need anything that drastic", I thought. "I can do this myself, or I will be a failure". It took a lot of time, research and talking to other people who had undergone the procedure until I considered it seriously

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

I did not have any problem getting approval with the surgery. I did however have an issue where my surgeon was not in the insurance and so I had to may more money above what is reasonable.

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

It was informative, but it was almost a conclusion, decision making event. I had done my research before, and I just wanted to confirm everything at the meeting

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was becoming diabetic. My father was on dialysis and couldn't move. I looked at him and said- I don't want that for my future

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I spoke to my cousin; did research and spoke to the surgeon. This seemed the best fit for me.

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?

What if I died was the biggest fear. In the end I decided that living a compromised miserable life was worse than potentially dying.

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 close friends were amazingly supportive. I found out later a few of them knew of fatalities on this surgery, but didn't tell me b/c they didn't want me to worry. I was amazed how much everyone supported me-- even my worry wart parents were supportive. My father said, if you can avoid what I am going through, this is worth it.

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

They were fine with it. I did not tell details just that I was going on disability. I was out for four weeks

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

I unfortunately could not get into the bariatric ward. So I was in a step down unit. Given that there were SERIOUSLY ill patients here I was a low priority. Consequently I was miserable. NOT a good experience

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

I had a c-dif infection. I was given flagyl

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

Each day got a bit better. It was a slow process.

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

Be patient and remember that things get better. For me, it was very traumatic going to work. I did not know when I would react to food badly or not.

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

1/2 mile

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 not eat cheese for about 1.5 months. After surgery, I could eat yogurt, cottage cheese, pudding and jello. I was able to graduate to soft boiled eggs and smashed white fish broiled. I was never able to stomach the pureed foods, so I stuck to dairy initially.

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

I started walking around my building once, three times a day. Then I graduated to two city blocks three times a day. By the end of the second week, I was walking for 30 minutes on a treadmill at a slow pace.

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

Vitamin A daily, Calcium citrate + D three times a day; Iron (Niferex Gold)once a day and a multivitamin, Multivitamin. I also take Vitamin D 2X a week and Selenium daily

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 still dump if I eat too much chocolate or if I eat too much period.

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

The first two weeks. After that everything got better.

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

I see a therapist who specializes in eating disorders/weight related issues once per week. I also go to my support group.Both are very important. I also used my surgery date message board daily for the firs 18 mos.

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

You have to look to see them.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had a number of plateaus. I also stopped losing weight after 12 mos. and haven't really moved since then.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

sad but true. People WILL be nicer, more open to you when you are thinner.