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

Years ago, I Googled "bariatric surgery" and found different program's websites. I also found YouTube videos made by WLS patients and I was able to follow their journey through their videos. I had mixed feelings about surgery. On one hand, it seemed to really be the answer I was looking for, however, I was stubborn and really wanted to be able to lose the weight without surgery. I was worried about the risks involved with surgery as well.

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

I received approval within one week of the claim being submitted by my surgeon's office. My advice would be to document all of your prior weight loss attempts, do exactly what your surgeon tells you to (pre-op diet, testing, and nutrition classes), and leave all the work of filing the claim to your surgeon. They work with insurance companies every day and know what they're doing!

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

My first visit with my surgeon was my only visit with my surgeon pre-op. All my other visits were with other staff in the bariatric program. When I met with my surgeon, he explained in depth the surgery, the hospital visit, and the risks involved. I was able to ask all my questions and then I signed consents and scheduled my surgery date. My advice would be to bring a notebook so you can write down your questions before the meeting, and also write down anything you want to remember during the meeting.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I turned 30 and had been trying for 10 years to get the weight off without surgery. At that point, my parents, grandparents, and siblings all had diabetes and most of them had heart disease. I felt really fortunate to not have developed any permanent damage to my health yet, but knew it was only a matter of time if I didn't get the weight off as soon as possible. Also, I was tired of wasting time not being physically able to do all the things I used to love to do. I'd just had enough.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My choices were either the lap band or RNY gastric bypass. Statistics showed that the majority of lap band patients do not reach their weight loss goals. Also, I did not like the idea of having a foreign body in my stomach and constantly having to get it adjusted in order to be successful. With over 150 pounds to lose, I wanted to do what was most likely to help me get all of my excess weight off. That is why I chose RNY - because I'm only having WLS once.

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?

My biggest, and really only, fear was dying and leaving my 5 year old daughter without a mother. But I also realized that without this surgery, I would surely die prematurely due to the complications of being super morbidly obese. When I decided to have the surgery, I made sure to do everything the surgeon told me to pre-op. For example, I lost 10% of my body weight, I started exercising for 20 minutes 3 times a week, and I stopped consuming caffeine and carbonated beverages. The week of surgery, I knew I had done everything I could on my end to make my surgery as safe as possible, and I trusted my surgeon's skill, so I was at peace that everything was going to go well.

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 parents were very supportive. My husband was very worried about the risk of surgery, but he still supported me in my decision. In hindsight, I wish I had been able to get my husband to come with me to more of the meetings and appointments, because I think it would have helped him be more comfortable with the surgery. Unfortunately, his work schedule didn't allow it.

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

I work at the hospital that I had my surgery at. They were very supportive and accommodating to me taking time off for the surgery. I told my supervisor the truth.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I found the first information seminar helpful, but also a little frustrating. Frustrating because I realized how long it was going to take me to get through the process and I wanted so badly to get through it so I could start living my life again!