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

I had seen advertisements for the surgery on T.V over the years. I am ashamed to say that before I gained all my weight I could never understand why anyone would let themselves get to a point that they needed to have surgery to lose weight. I always thought that weight control was a matter of willpower, eating right and exercising. I had told myself that I would never, ever get heavy enough to have to have surgery to loose weight. I just couldn't understand why people could let themselves get big and fat. Well lo and behold ignorant little ole me turned into one of those people who I thought had no willpower and didn't care about themselves. I was now one of them. I knew how powerless they felt and depressed they were. I knew how other people treated them now and how unhappy their lives were because it was now me who was the fat person. After trying to loose weight and it not working for me I seen another BTC advertisement on T.V. and decided right then and there that I desperately needed this surgery to save my life. That's when my journey back from Hell started.

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

My experience getting my surgery approved was Hell. The Ins. Co's I was dealing with took me down to rock bottom as they continually denied me. I tried everything to get approval including threatening them with law suits, yelling at the person on the phone, etc. I went through every loop and hurdle I could to get approval only to be denied time and time again. My marriage was in trouble because my husband could not understand why I was putting my self through all of this, but I was determined to find a way. I would not give up. My children suffered and so did my husband because I took my frustrations out on them because of what the Ins. Co's were doing to me and I felt hopeless. After joining BC/BS and waiting my 6 months for pre exhisting conditions it went smoothly. My marriage did break up due to all this but after getting my approval through BC/BS we got back together and are still together.

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

My first visit was scary. I was loaded with questions and of course was told that the biggest hurdle was getting the surgery approved. The Dr. told me to be prepared with everything I could get my hands on as the Ins. Co's were going to put me through Hell. He was right.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was at rock bottom and knew this was my only way to save my life. I had extensive medical problems due to my weight and felt like I was going to die before my time. I was really scared for myself and hated being the way I was. The surgery seemed like my only answer. I asked God to guide me and he did.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was the only option I looked into.

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 was scared. I have had 5 major surgeries previous to this one and everytime I went into the hospital for a surgery I was afraid I wasn't going to make it out alive. I always prayed that I would survive and if I didn't I asked God to take care of my 2 children. Luckily I have survived every one of them and am here to tell about 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?

Noone was understanding about this. I had negative responses from everyone. I was on my own. I have done all of this without anyones support. I heard all the horror stories about the ones who abused it. I still hear the horror stories but I am one of the lucky ones who has something good to say about it.

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

I was self employed so I had no employer to deal with. I owned and operated an Adult Foster Care Home out of my own home and when I came home from the hosital I took care of 5 people plus my own family with the help of my husband and my daughter. It wasn't easy but everyone survived. None of my so called friends or other family members offered to help me out during my recovery so I know where I stand with them.

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

None

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

It is bigger and more prevalent than I thought it would be. But it doesn't bother me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had a few plateaus. I am on one right now. My surgery was done on 11/24/1998. I lost pretty good at first then my weight loss slowed down considerably. I started out at 306# and as of January 2001 I was down to 159# but since then I have maintained and have currently gained 6# but I blame that on the increase in the antidepressant I am taking. I need to quit eating so much and get off my but and get doing some exercise which I have not been doing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Somewhat. They are more friendlier now than when I was bigger.