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

I'd known about it for years but thought of the surgery as out of reach for me and never considered it.

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

When I was actuall considered and approved for the surgery the excitment that something was finally going to be done to help me was so exhilarating, it was like the weight was off my mind first.

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

My surgeon was very candid. He stated the facts, the down side, what could go wrong etc. He gave me a lot to think about.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The years of my struggle and escalating health problems were what made up my mind to have the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Actually Canada's health system is what made me decide what proceedure I was having. When I first decided to have surgery, they covered the lap band and that is what I was booked to have. The week before my surgery they decided they weren't covering the cost anymore and I didn't have the ten thousand dollars to pay for the surgery. I consulted with my surgeon and he felt I should go ahead with the VBG. which was fully covered.

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?

For some reason I had no fears. I just wanted it over and done with.

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 of course were very concerned. They supported my decision. My parents were the most upset but had been upset with the growing list of health problems too. I knew they were deeply torn. After surgery everyone was very supportive. My parents kept asking if I thought it was worth it when I had boughts of vomiting and I always answered YES.

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

I was unemployed so that wasn't a concern.

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

I was out first of everyone that had surgery that day. I seemed to be in the best shape. Funny thing was, I have high blood pressure yet before they took me into surgery, my blood pressure was fantastic. I wasn't nervous at all. It was something I wanted badly. I was the only one without a bed that didn't lower so to swing my legs out to get out of bed was a bit of a painful chore. Other than that, it was fine. I liked having my own pajamas with me for a little privacy.

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

I did go through a couple weeks of severe vomiting where I could hardly keep even water down. That didn't start till about a month after surgery. Other than that I don't know if I was much different. My scar never healed well and even after 5 years is still extremely obvious. I've heard doctors use the work edema I think.

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 anxious after I got the surgery date because I couldn't wait. I just wanted the date to come. Not as much a fear as and excitement.

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

A lot of trouble getting in and out of bed. In my case, walking around was no trouble at all. I got home in early December and was out doing my Christmas shopping. In the long run it was probably good for me to do some walking. As far as eating out. That's not so easy. I thought it would be but I had a lot to learn. I suffer from severe headaches and the vomiting set them off. I had quite a few embarrassing moments until I realized I just couldn't eat normal things anymore.

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

I didn't have far to travel at all. A half hour at the most. This didn't affect my after care 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.

I followed the dietary plan issued prior to the surgery. It's five years later and as of two months ago I'm happy to say I can now eat salads. I dreamed of eating salad for five years. Almost any restaurant will serve salad so that opens many doors that I can go to dinner with friends. Soup and salad...it is amazing. I did have quesadeas crisp or the odd meatloaf and still have to excuse myself and go vomit. Soup is always the safe way to go and then a dessert and pretend I'd already eaten and just wanted something light and then sweet. I have to plot when I'm out but this salad opens up a whole new world. I still have trouble with tuna, no matter how much moist ingredients I add. I can tolerate egg at home but have trouble when I'm out. I eat a frozen shepards pie at home, oatmeal, bran bars. My tolerance hasn't changed much since year one again except for the salad. I have trouble with any meats and vegetables. I drink juices.

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

I am far more active than I had been for years prior to the surgery. I don't need the sleep I used to either. I'm much more socially active as well.

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

Multi vitamin, vitamin C esterC, fish.

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?

Nausea and vomiting which still plague me five years later but not to the extent that they did. I guess I've learned a bit except now I can be okay for a half hour or more before they hit where it used to be almost immediately after I ate. I never had hair loss or teeth decay. I do get severe headaches with the vomiting sometimes.

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

The vomiting and not being able to eat foods in small portions without getting sick.

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

None at all.

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

Large, raised and bright coloured. It's not what I expected, but I can deal with it. It's a small price to pay to look as good and feel as good as I do.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I don't know what you mean.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I notice people commenting on my appearance. Certain people surprise me by acting jealous or stating that my personality has changed. Usually that is for the better though.