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

I knew about surgery for years. A friend of my mothers had it done when I was in my early teen years. I didn't have a weight problem back then (maybe I did) and thought how gross it was. I now see things in a different light. I want it badly, to give me back my deserved quality of life. I'm only 30...scared of dying and i'm ready to change. Ready for all that life has to offer me. My impression is this...if this surgery can give me "FREEDOM", freedom of ridicule and judgement, freedom of crying, freedom of hurt and disgust, then it is exactly what the doctor ordered!! Me being the doctor of course!

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

Funny you should ask....i had aetna first....got the approval after first letter....however, the new year brought me a new insurance company...i was so worried that it wouldn't be approved since i only had the insurance 11 days....yes that is what i said. i got approval on jan 11, 2001 and i had surgery on jan 19th....talk about moving fast....my insurance carriers...both of them...were terrific! Be honest...did you really put effort into other avenues? I truthfully discussed my problem with my surgeon...they can tell if you truly need it or if your just doing it in vain. my surgeon knew that i had been through so much over 15 years and he put that to words in his letter to my insurance for approval.

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

my first visit was great. he was very open...first examined me and read all the paperwork that i had filled out....we talked.....then basically he put it all out on the table...let me know exactly what it involved...found that i qualified...and we moved on from there.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

to better my life. nuff said!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

the particular surgeon i chose only did this procedure....i didn't go beyond that in looking...i found him and stuck with him and now i'm ever so glad that i did!

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 went into it fully understanding what it all entailed....research is the key...talk to people who have had it...make it better and talk with someone or others who have had the same surgeon. as far as complications...we all are at risk for that....just being overweight was the biggest complication in my life at that time...so i didn't concern myself with any fear....i went in focused....came out even more so...and still am....go go go!!!

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?

some friends were cool...family too...and others were behind me 100%....i just simply explained that they were not me....and if they could live their life for just one day as me..they would completely understand.

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 ok with my decision...he thought it was pretty drastic. i explained to him a few months prior that i would be out as soon as i got my approval and we coordinated the office to deal with things while i was out. i only was out of work a total of 7 working days....and went back 3 half days and then full time again. my job allowed me to do that because it didn't involve manual labor.

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

stay in the hospital was cool. i had surgery on friday morning....up and moving around soon after i was out of recovery....i was moving around quickly...and the key was to keep moving....walk as much as possible...sip and chew on ice.....keep moving...i can't stress that enough...there was no ICU stay like some i have heard of....then i went home on monday morning! it was great..... definitely bring your own pj's!

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

n/a

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 was so excited and i only had 8 days to deal with the decision. i was so happy........i can't explain it! taking on a new life.....it was incredible and still is!

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

the hardest thing i had to deal with was walking upright again. i felt like i was going to tear something open.....other than that...keep moving...the more you move the faster you get better. don't baby yourself...the first 4 weeks of eating is pretty yucky....but it is worth it...dont' jeopardize this surgery by trying to eat things your not supposed to.....puree is the word!

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

my travel was only about 20-25 minutes...didn't affect my aftercare at all!

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.

My doctor informed me that sometimes people don't tolerate dairy products, carbonation, and red meat too well after surgery. I was one of the lucky ones...i haven't had too many problems with anything. The only downfall i have experienced is forgetting that your digestive time is so much shorter and not to eat anything sweet on an empty stomach. "Dumping" syndrome is what they call it. I got so extremely tired...clammy...kind of dazed....NOT a good feeling. It passed, but it wasn't fun!

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

i moved more then than prior to surgery. that is the key to recuperating fast...Keep moving.!!!!

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

after the first month i started a regular regimen of vitamins. once a day multivitamin...prescription iron...and vitamin a & d...calcium at bedtime. after 30 days...this increased to 2 multivitamins, 2 iron, 2 a & d, and 2 calcium at bedtime!

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 didn't have any problems whatsoever. the only side effect is something that is just now, after my third full month, my hair is coming out like crazy....fortunately, i have alot of hair and it is hardly noticeable....my surgeon forewarned me of this. He typically says that this lasts for about 3 mos or so. Good lord i hope so!

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

I would have to say "NOTHING" It was the best decision i have made thus far....hopefully things go just as planned. I am down 74 lbs or so now and feeling wonderful.

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

The surgeon who did my surgery had a support group for his patients every third sunday of the month. I have attended one meeting so far and i'm 3 1/2 months...the meeting was informative..and we even have snacks!!! I will be going to more in the future!

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

my scar is pretty large. from about my breastbone to my bellybutton. I am not dissappointed at all. You gotta take the good with the bad. I was not one who would be wearing half shirts and bikinis.....so no harm done. I faithfully use Vitamin E cream. Hoping that with time it will diminish some.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i havent hit any thus far.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are pleasantly surprised. It is so nice to hear compliments and know that people really mean it.