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

My aunt, who has recently passed was advised to have the surgery and she declined. I always felt if she would have had it, she would be alive today. My impression was that was something I could never do because I didn't have the money and insurance didn't cover it.

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

I realized just what lousy insurance I had. I took out the loan and paid for it myself. I might have to sell my house as a result, but it is all worth it to me. Nothing is more important than my health and I decided I was worth it.

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

It was great. I took 2 friends with me for support. I had already gone to the seminar and knew I wanted the surgery. The meeting with the surgeon was the first step in putting it all into action. Dr. Umbach and is staff are great.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Like I said, losing my aunt was significant and watching her only daughter grieve the premature loss of her mother made me realize what my daugher would to through. I wanted to watch my daughter grow up, get married, have a family and be around to enjoy my grandkids. Also, I had been reasonably healthy my whole life and when I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in August 2006, I knew if I didn't change things, there would be other health complications start to creep into my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was easy for me. I wanted the surgery with the highest success rate for long term durable weight loss. I went to the seminar, got on several websites and educated myself about the different procedures and made my decision from there.

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 had a fear that I would not wake up from surgery. In fact, I wrote my daughter a letter the day of my surgery and mailed it on my way to the hospital. I wanted her to know what she has meant to me in the event I didn't wake up. Thankfully I did. I think you need to be aware going into any surgery the risks and complications. Don't take it lightly but don't let your fear stop you from achieving your dream.

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?

Interesting. I have several friends who are overweight. They are supportive but I think sometimes expecting me to fail. Family has been mostly supportive. Some jealousy from other obese family members but I can't help that. I educated them as I did myself but they had concerns that I would be thinner than them.

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

Super. Everyone I told was so supportive. They have all known me for a long time and have watched me struggle over the years with my weight. Some people always want to share their horror stories or stories that they have heard but I did my best to educate them and let them have their own opinions. I did tell people if they could not support me, then I rather they said nothing.

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

No hospital stay is pleasant. I was there for 2 nights and it was miserable. The bed was awful, my sleep was awful and the food was not what I wanted. I was nauseous and asked for non-dairy foods to eat. I got yogurt, cottage cheese and cream of tomatoe soup. All I wanted was applesauce and the hospital seemed to have a shortage of it. The nurses were great and worked their butts off but there are just too few of them.

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

The surgery was a breeze. The two weeks leading up to my post op were great as well. I developed blood clots in my right leg 2 weeks after surgery but I think it was more of a genetic factor than the surgery itself. Several of my family members have suffered with blood clots both surgery and non-surgery related. I am on coumadin now for the next 6 months, which is a drag, but one of those things I get to deal with.

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

My surgery date was originally set for December 13th. I got very sick with a bad cold and my surgery had to be postponed. It was rescheduled for January 3rd, which would take me through Christmas and New Year. I was worried about keeping my weight down during the holidays but then they changed it again to December 29th. I was so excited. I only got a little nervous the day before surgery.

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

I don't know if I was unusual or not. I had almost no problems. The most difficult thing was the food cravings. They were still there. I am watching football on New Years Day, only 3 days after surgery and wanting every food that was on every commercial. I realized the food cravings were something they could not surgically remove and I would have to learn to deal with them. TV is not my friend with all the food advertising. I had almost no pain, took no pain meds other than Tylenol. I was out shopping 5 days after surgery.

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

About 6 miles. I was glad I could have it in my home town.

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 am only 3 1/2 weeks out from surgery, so I have stuck to a pretty bland diet. The first two weeks were my protein drinks, cottage cheese, applesauce, chicken broth, mashed potatoesetc. After my post op, I added white fish, a little bit of tuna. The third week, I had a ground sirloin burger pattie and a little bit of chicken. I have tolerated all well. I would say the chicken was the hardest to digest. Feeling a little more constipated than normal.

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

I was doing a lot of walking in the hospital and in the days coming home. I only napped one afternoon and that was the actual day I came home from the hospital. I took short walks every day, did my own cooking, cleaning up my own dishes, bathing etc.

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

Multi vitamin, B-12 and Calcium citrate

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?

Only nausea I had was in the hospital after surgery. None since then and at no time did I have any vomitting. I am no longer using my sleep machine due to sleep apnea. I have no problems to complain of and no hair loss so far.

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

Worrying that I would not wake up from surgery.

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

I have a lot of friends, family and am attending a support group. All are helpful but I realized in the long run, my decisions and the choices I make are still up to me. I have only attended one support group so far but I really enjoyed it

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

5 little incisions. It's much better than the full length one I have from having my gall bladder out 21 years ago.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Only a couple family members who seem to be threatened by my losing weight.