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

Thru media stories. Later, I had two co-workers who underwent the surgery with really piqued my interest. My initial impression of this surgery was that it was very dangerous and I could die if I had it.

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

Luckily, I had a very easy time with insurance.

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

The first visit seemed to go really fast, but I felt I was prepared because I did lots of research. A pre-op should take a list of questions to ask the surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt that I was at the end of my rope. Didn't see how I'd be able to loose weight any other way.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided I need the restrictions that came along with the RNY. I felt I would "cheat" with the lapbad.

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?

These fears are all normal. My biggest fear was dying and leaving my 13 yr old motherless.

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 was very fearful at first, but the more info I gave them, the more accepting they became. My family was very supportive of me.

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

My supervisor was happy that I was doing this to improve my health. I'm sure he was thinking improved health would also increase my productivity. I was off work for 3 weeks.

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

I had a very nice hospital stay. The hosp staff were great. I was in the hospital 5 days due to complications---not from the surgery. I had complications from another problem that came up (extremely heavy period--required blood). Bring lip balm !!!

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

No complications from the weight loss surgery.

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

Very mixed emotions, wondered if I was doing the right thing. Went from being happy to being downright scared. I went on obesityhelp.com's message boards to look for support and that helped.

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

Again, very mixed emotions. Wondered if I had made the right decision. I was definetly missing food and grieving because of that. Plus, I was extrememly tired.

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

95 miles

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've been lucky, at almost 7 weeks, I've not really had any food intolerances.

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

Low, I tried to walk because was extremely tired.

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

Taking a Multivitamin and Calcium supplement.

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?

Only side effect I've really had is fatigue. I may have dumped once, but not sure. I'm just now getting to the point where the fatigue isn't as bad.

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

Fear of the unknown !

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

Obesityhelp.com has been my main support and it's been great. My surgeon's office also has a monthly support group.

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

I have 6 small scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Haven't really plateaued yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not so much yet,,,I get compliments on the 58 lbs lost,,,but treatment hasn't been different. Although, I do expect this to happen.