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

Two friends of mine from work had it done. When I spoke to them about it I told them "Oh I could NEVER do that" (don't think I was ready to give up the pizza and fried foods). Then one day I went to see my PCP for a blood pressure check and he told me right out "If you don't do something soon you will not make it out of your 60's". That's when I said make the arrangements. I'm ready.

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

I did not have any problems getting the surgery approved. They even sent me all kinds of information. I guess continually going to different Drs. spoke for itself. I think they knew I was in trouble. I have HMO Blue

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

I have to first say do your homework. Read all about this surgery prior going to any doctor. Make sure you are choosing the right surgery for you. I initially was going to get the lap band. I went to meetings, read all I could on both surgeries and made the decision to go with gastric bypass. I am so glad I did. I met with my surgeion and she put my concerns to rest. She took my hand and told me not to worry, to let her do the worrying and for me to enjoy the ride.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When my doctor told me I would not make it out of my 60's if I didn't do something soon.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went to the meetings and read everything I could about both surgeries.

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?

Well, I figured if I kept going the way I was I was going to die sooner than I should. Sure you worry about complications but what about the complications from being over weight? Was I ready to make a commitment in changing my eating habits? Yes, I wanted to live and live life enjoying it and being pain free and feeling great.

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 told everyone right from the start about my decision. My boyfriend is truly amazing. Stuck by me thorugh everything and still does. I did have a few friends and family say to me they didn't think I needed it and I could do it through diet and exercise. Well, I am with me 24/7 they are not. They had no idea how miserable I felt all the time. Now, they see how happy and healthy I am and are all very supportive. I didn't hide anything.

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

They were supportive. Don't forget all my Dr appts were in the week day so that meant I had to leave work to go. I was out of work for about 6 weeks.

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

Well, like any other hospital you don't get much rest. I was in for a total of 4 days including the day of my surgery. Bring slippers, robe and socks if your feet get cold.

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

No, I did not have any complications

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 very excited. I was well educated and knew what was going to happen. Even the day of surgery I was pretty calm. This was a new adventure for me. I was going to get healthy and thinner with this tool.

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

For me, I was tired. I think I got my energy back by 8 weeks. That was when I started feeling pretty good. Probably becuase I had the health issues and was on alot of different meds.

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

Round trip was 100 miles. My boy friend drives me all the time. If it weren't for him I don't know if I would have had it done. The support is a major, major factor.

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 6 weeks are the hardest. I was never hungry and I had hard time trying to get my fluids in (always did). Have to eat slowly and chew, chew, chew. I was about 1 month out and had forgotten and ate a piece of turkey and just chewd few times and swolled. BIG mistake. After awhile it is all second nature.

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

Like I said felt very tired. But walked as much as I could.

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

I take chewable vitamins ex. flintstones and I take chewable calcium

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 went right by the book so my side effects were at a minimum. I really didn't have much hair loss I made sure I took my vitamins and tried to get much protein in as I could.

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

There was one time when I ate chicken. I must have eaten to fast or didn't chew it well. It felt like it got stuck. I could breath and all but the pain was terrible. The other thing is gas. I get alot of gas and take gas x to help.

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

I go to group once a month to NEMC (New England Medical Center) where I had my surgery. I feel that going to these meetings will help me keep on track and if anything comes up they are there to help me find the answers.

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

Scar? What scar... I was a year out in October 2007. You can barely see the scars. They were very tiny to begin with. I didn't expect that they would be almost gone in this amount of time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

While I was losing the weight of course I would plateau. Probably for 3 sometimes 4 weeks but not very often. I would just keep doing what I was doing and focusing on eating my protein and drinking my fluids. When I ate more protein (I ate up to 3 oz) then I would start losing weight again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes definately. I don't know why. I am the same person. Both postive and negative.