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

I hard about the surgery through commercials and my work (health insurance). I was against having surgery for myself because I thought I was giving in. I mean, I lost weight before on my own... Then I knew too many people who did it because they were too lazy (for lack of a better word) to do it on their own. I had to come to terms that this surgery was something I HAD to do in order to be healthy and live past my 50s.

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

I didn't have too many problems with my insurance. I knew exactly what they required and before submitting any kind of paperwork to them, I made sure I had all my "t"s crossed and "i"s dotted. In fact, I believe I sent in too much information.

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

My first visit to with Dr. Ben-Meir was truly overwhelming. First, I was with the nurse, getting weighed and vitals checked. Then I passed to my doctor, who was very informative, but to be honest, the information given to me didn't process completely in my mind for about 2 days.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health. My family's health history. The fact my mother died at 58. My love of traveling, the theater, sporting events and wanting to be able to sit in a chair comfortably.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew right away I didn't want to have a Lap-Band. While this surgery is a lifelong commitment, Lap-Band seems even more so. The only other offered to me at St. Vincents (which is rated the best in Cleveland, OH), was RNY. I was lucky enough to have laproscopic. I didn't want to get Open because I already had adominable surgery

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?

The only fear I had was (and is) about the hanging skin. If I died from complications, I died. I really wasn't nervous about that whatsoever.

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?

I wasn't too surprised with how many family and friends reacted to my decision. I did get many "Are you sure you want to do this?" and "You do realize this is a lifelong commitment?". No one talked me out of it and they were all there after my surgery, cheering me on.

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

My company is very big on Privacy Laws and as such, I technically didn't have to tell my manager. However, I did and not that he understood, my manager did know this was a big decision and commitment. He supported me. I was out of work for only 4 weeks.

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

It was a hospital. You should never expect to get any rest when in the hospital. I do have to say, St. Vincent's was great in terms of nursing staff and the rooms.

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

No complications, no pain.

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 excited. Then a week before surgery, I began doubting my decision. Two days before, I went to a soccer game in Toronto. I had to walk from the parking lot to the stadium, then climb 4 flights of stairs. During the second flight of stairs I realized this surgery was the best decision I made.

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

I was bored when I got home from the hospital. My main problem was I didn't have any pain, wasn't sick or anything. I couldn't do anything around the house, couldn't go to the store without help. It was a trial. I became a myspace junkie.

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

I traveled about 40 minutes to my hospital. It hasn't affected my aftercare 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.

Of course, anything with sugar is completely off limits. This I'm going to stick to because my grandfather, who lives with me, is a diabetic, so it's an easy change to adapt. Right after surgery, I couldn't stomach more than 20 grams of carbs per meal. Once I went a little over and ended up dumping. 3 months out, and I'm eating ground meats, including beef, and pretty much back to normal. OH! Except I can't handle bread.

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

My activity level seemingly increased within the first week out of the hospital. It just keeps increasing week by week as the pounds keep coming off.

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

I am on a regiment of Multi-vitamin, 2 Pepcids, 1200 mg of Calcium, Vitamin B-12 and Iron. This is daily. Once a week I take Vitamin D. For 6 months following the surgery, I'm on Urso, twice 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?

Hair loss is the worse for me. I have then hair to begin with, so it's like I'm balding. I keep telling myself that it is supposed to grow back. I haven't (except once) had an instance of dumping and only have vomited a couple of times, but it wasn't bad.

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

My struggle rational and irrational mental struggle. Rationally, I know it's good to lose weight at a slow pace, I will plateau, writing everything I eat is good, etc. Irrationally, I'm at war with all of that. :)

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

I attended the hospital's support groups.

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

I have 6 scars from this surgery. 4 of them are less then an inch, 1 is a "hole" from my port and the last one reminds me of a knot. I didn't know what to expect, however, happy with the turnout.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit my first plateau about 7 weeks out from surgery. It's too soon to really comment.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice people really pay attention to what I am eating and how much I am eating. Some of the ballsier ones even comment on it. I have a feeling I'm going to be under alot of scrutiny when it comes to eating with others. They are also treating me a bit differently, however, I believe that is because I'm happier than I was pre-surgery. I'm the same person I always was and will always be.