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

I first found out by looking into Lap Band surgery and felt it would only be another "diet" so I was against it. After several more dieting attempts, I decided it was time for something drastic and spoke with my primary care physician who recommended Gastric Bypass.

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

Between my surgeon and my persistance with the insurance company it was not that bad. Make sure you follow the surgeon's instructions to the "T" and make all of your appointments.

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

Be prepared with all of your questions. What you are about to do is scarey and you want to make sure you have a surgeon that will help you through this the way you need it. Not everyone is the same. My surgeon was very supportive and clearly answered all of my questions and reaffirmed the information I had gained from research.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was on 12 medications and an insulin dependant diabetic and could not play with my grand children.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research on the internet, Obesityhelp.com forums, and my surgeon.

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?

There are risks with EVERY sugery and you can dye from an infected toe nail. Of course there is fear, but you need to stay positive and think about all of the good things that are about to happen. Do your homework on your surgeon and hospital to make sure your risk is minimal.

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 and friends were VERY supportive before and after the surgery.

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

My supervisor and the owners of the company were very supportive because they knew it would improve my performance and well being.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Yes I was glad I attended, it was very informative.

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

The staff at the hospital was very helpful. I was in the hospital for four days. The most important thing to bring is a pillow to hug on the way home.

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

I had two incisions that would not heal inside and I had to keep going to the surgeon to have them drained and keep packing them with gauze.

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 did not have any anxiety but was in a lot of pain from the complication. After the 7 weeks of dealing them it was good.

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

You will not have a lot of energy and you will not feel like eating or drinking, but it is necessary to do both. You will not feel like walking either, but this is also necessary.

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

I only hade to travel 4 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.

The first week consisted of liquid protien shakes and water. the next 2 weeks were pureed foods like refried beans and salsa or tuna with low fat mayo and had to try to get to 1/4 cup. The next several weeks consisted of soft food items, like above but not pureed. Still trying to get to a 1/4 cup at each sitting. Rice and pasta are off limits for a long time. You toloance for foods will change on a weekly basis and what does not work this week, may work next week. I still am unable to eat steak after 6 months.

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

Days after surgery was low, but you energy level increases as the weight comes off and you start reaching your protien goals.

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

Vitamin B12 sublingual 1ml per day, 2 centrum multi vitamins, and 1500 mg of UpCal D.

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?

Sleep disturbance was the worse side effect for me, the rest you can control by watching what you eat. The doctor prescribed a sedative for me to take before going to sleep.

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

Waiting for the date. Once you know it is going to happen, it is hard to wait for the big day.

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

I do not attend group sessions, but I use this and other web sites as my support group and it is very helpful.

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

Scaring is minimal and what I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have a couple of plateau's during the last couple of months and I find if change something in your routine you will get off the plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes people treat me different now and I act differently now, more confident.