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

I saw an ad in a fashion magazine and started researching. At first, I was terrifed. Do this to my body just to loose weight? What if I can't do it? What if I don't want to stay that way? But my need to loose outweighed my fears.

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

My surgeon's office did all the paperwork for me, as I had already been with my PCP on structured diets for several years. My advice is have your diets documented with your doctor before beginning the insurance debates. Have a 'diet diary' with lots of details.

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

I knew my surgeon prior to my visit, so it was easy. But have tons of questions. Don't be afraid to ask anything. Write things down before and during the visit. If they don't answer find a different doctor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health was starting to suffer and I wanted to grow old with my husband and not leave him grow old alone.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon I chose, due to the fact I already knew him, only did LAP RnY. But I prefer the LAP due to recovery time.

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?

Everyone has them, because some do die. But you can die just as dead from obesity. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

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 were for others against, but they were there for me in either way, especially after. I have a great family.

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

He was all for it and has done everything he can to help me, including arranging short term disability, giving me extra time to make sure I eat properly during the day, and checking on my progress weekly. I was off one month.

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

My stay was good. The hospital was excellant. I was there three full days. Bring easy on and off clothes, slip on shoes and a good moisturizer for your eyes, saline for nose and creme for skin.

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?

I just put it in God's hands and He calmed me right through the whole thing.

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

I was weak and dizzy the first few weeks until I got my foods in and a balance started. Have protein drinks ready at all times for this. I also needed help bathing and washing my hair.

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

Fifty miles. Not far, as I live very rural.

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 ate mainly pureed meats for the first three months, then gradually adding veggies, fruits and now, at six months, some whole wheat carbs to my breakfast. I stay away from carbs on a whole and still can't eat rice, pasta or steak.

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

Very slow for the first two weeks, and by the time I went back to work after a month, I was still getting tired easily, but as the weight came off, the energy levels went up and now I feel great.

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

Just three Flintstone chewables daily.

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 dumped on OTC tylenol once, oil from cooking once. It takes about four hours for me to get through a 'session'. Hair loss is the worst as it is continual and hasn't stopped as of yet.

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

Removing the drains in the doctor's office. Ouch.

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

Online support at [email protected]. It helps a lot, as I had many questions and they have had all the answers.

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

Four little ones that are fading. Yes, I was told what to expect.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Several. At four months, I didn't have a loss for three weeks and then it started on its own. At six, I stopped for two weeks, changed back to eating 5 meals a day instead of three, and it's coming off again.Then I stopped after 1 year, for 2 years, then lost again, going down from 299 to 155. A 2 year plateau. That was quite something.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Only strangers. But those don't matter. My friends treat me the same, and my family does the same.