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

I think I first heard about bariatric surgery on a television program. There were two guests that had severe complications and wished that they had never done this to themselves. I used to work as an aerobics instructor and have always thought that the key to weight loss was counting calories and exercising. Well, I have tried that for 35 years and I feel I need to expand the tools that are in my arsenal.

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

I have not had any problem with my insurance company.

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

My first visit with the surgeon went very well. I had a list of my questions and concerns and that really helped me. I did a lot of research on him before I ever set foot in the office. I feel that everyone should do the best they can to find out everything about the person who is going to be re-arranging your insides.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I was diagnosed with diabetes I realized that I had to take bigger steps to secure my health. I have lost weight many times but have been unable to stay at a healthy weight. My best chance for managing diabetes and keeping the weight off is gastric bypass. I have read tons of studies on diabetes and gastric bypass. The risk of the surgery is far less than the diabetes over time.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was a simple decision for me. Gastric bypass has a better remission rate for diabetes than for lap band.

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?

All surgery can have complications, and I have had my share of surgeries. I really believe in playing the numbers game. If you have a reputable surgeon, who is affiliated with a great hospital, and has performed many procedures for the surgery you are about to have your risks are greatly reduced. Gastric Bypass is one of the safest surgeries being performed to day. The odds of you dying are less than if you did nothing, so the risk seems reasonable to me. You have to make your own decision.

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?

At first, everyone was shocked. "You are not that fat. All the weight will come back. It's too dangerous. I know someone who died from it." They would say these things and many others. I had to tell them the actual statistics and educate them about a lot of myths. The biggest thing that people feel is that you are taking an easy way out. I must admit, I felt that way before I did my research. I had to explain to them and myself that I am taking an important step for my health, that I have tried diet and exercise for 35 years, and that I need more help. Bypass surgery is the best help we have available today and is far more successful than diet and exercise alone.

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

Everyone has been supportive.

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

I was in the hospital for 5 days. I loved having my ipod with me.

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

Yes, I had bleeding for three days and it made me very week.

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 couldn't wait to get off of liquids, I loved and still do love popsicles!

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

Expect to not have a lot of energy for a while, also expect to have trouble eating very slowly!

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

About 45 minutes, there was no problem with aftercare.

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 can eat most foods, but have problems with any meat that is tough. Chicken skin is a no no for me. It gets stuck and I am in a lot of pain for an hour. Too much bread is bad also. I can eat sugar without any problem

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

Walking was no problem and I could go pretty far within a week.

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

2 multivitamins and calcium and that is it so far.

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 really haven't had any problems other than about 3 times when I ate too fast and had chicken skin/fat. I got foamies of the mouth, pain in my chest, with eventual vomiting.

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

For me was the nasal gastric tube that was in my nose after the surgery, I couldn't wait to get that out... as well as the catheter!

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

There is a meeting once a month and I attended it, but I seem to be doing fine without it. There is also a nutritionist that I can see, but haven't felt the need as of late.

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

The scars are small and are fading every day. They are about what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I can go for about 2 weeks and then 5 lbs will just come off one day.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

They are less intimidated by me, I kinda miss that!