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

My sister had wls and did well but then started to gain her weight back. I didn't want to go through all of that to gain it back so I waited and watched but my own weight kept getting higher and higher until at 368 I knew I had to do something or die.

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

It is a long process and a big ordeal. At the time it is so very frustrating but looking at it from the other end, having to wait makes perfect sense. It takes years to put it on and you should have to really 'think' about what you are doing and not just 'jump' into it. Good things are worth the wait and because it took so much effort to get the surgery I put more effort into making it work after...

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

By the time my visit came with the surgeon most of my questions had been answered by support staff. The meeting went well and I was scheduled shortly after. Take your list of questions with you and the person who will be your support in the hosptial and shortly after discharge.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I couldn't move and was very unhappy with myself.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted lap-band but had 'issues' with Dr. Deol's office because I asked a few questions too many I guess... then my family doctor recommended Unisource and it was the best thing that ever happened. I am so glad I switched and love the staff and program there. I had lost almost 50 pounds before I had the surgery and recovery was a breeze.

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 did have fears and went to counseling. During this time I did a LOT of research on the surgery and this is why it is good that you do have a long wait time. I compiled a list of pros and cons - reviewed them all and prayerfully made my decision knowing I would never look back. Even if things had not gone as well as they did, I made the best possible decision and moved forward. If you are in a bad place research your possiblities and then move in a positive direction, our choices determine our future.

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?

Mixed reactions to my decision. I actually had a couple of 'doctor friends' share some doubts about the surgery and I appreciated their candor with me. Everyone was verbally supportive after the surgery but it is still very difficult to protect my enviornment. Family without weight issues do not understand why they can't give us cakes/cookies/candies or other such items for gifts or why I don't want these items in my home.

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

I was blessed to be working a virtual office from my home. My employer knew I was having some 'type' of surgery but not much more. I had surgery on Thursday and was back behind the computer for at least part of the day by the following Monday - worked out perfect for me.

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

In on Thursday, out on Saturday. Bring your own pillow and a headset if you use one.

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

None.

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

Coming home was difficult, my mind was foggy and I couldn't remember what I was supposed to take and when because my medications changed right away. I wish I had lined that up better but my sister helped me get on track. It really went better than I expected for the most part.

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

I felt tired and week at times, was a bit nervous but I took things slow and asked questions when I had them. My doctors were the best!

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

I live 6 miles from the hosptial, no problemo!

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.

It has been a while now so my memory has already dimmed a bit. I remember chicken was hard and for some reason so was fish. I was never hungry and had to remember to drink my water and shakes. I wondered if I would ever really 'want' to eat again... but the hunger does indeed return adventually.

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

It took a couple of weeks by six weeks out I was back in the gym and felt great.

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

At first I took additional supplements, I am two years out now and take a multivitamin, vitamin b, vitamin d, fish oil, and a pepcid before bed each day. Life is good.

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 did not have any bad side effects - well, I do chill easily so I just had to buy some great looking jackets to cover up with!

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

The wait was a frustrating but needful process. My biggest concern now being almost 3 years out is that I can eat again and enjoy food and am often hungry. I don't want to gain my weight back and almost wish I could go back to the feeling of not wanting to eat I had a couple of years ago.

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

Unisource has great support. I had a nutritionist, dietician, psychiatrist who were all there for me. There were support groups I always felt welcome too and I even brought some of my family to cooking classes.

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

What scar? LOL. Couple of tiny little marks is all. It is the extra skin that is a pain in the butt.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After the surgery I had started smoking again - mistake. Then 18 months after surgery I stopped smoking for GOOD and got a tummy tuck. Well, the combination of not being able to excersise and quitting smoking assisted me in packing on 20 pounds in the past year - this is why I am getting back on track while the damage is minimal.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I get much more respect.