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

Several friends had the surgery; readings on my own. Thought it was a breakthrough and powerful tool.

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

Switched insurers when initial insurer had 6 month 'supervised diet maintenance' provision. Asked surgeon's insurance coordinator to recommend appropriate insurance provider. Do the research and find out if your insurer has 'special provisions' for obesity surgery, are they manageable? can you fit criteria? can you get 'around' requirements?

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

Interesting....check out www.mygastricbypass.com; she has excellent pre-op questions for surgeon, highly recommend.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

No more choices - if not now, when.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't my surgeon did, gave up 'control' over that issue bottom line I want to be healthy, knew that I didn't want the banding because overall sustained weightloss not that great and left to my own devices not sure that I would self-control. I need absolute barrier!

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?

Read, read, read. Know yourself. I have a high tolerance to pain and logically expected to be in pain, and was surprised at the lack of discomfort initially. I had gas pain in my back, no pain from the incision sites, no constipation, no vomiting, no nausea (except when I tried to eat a hard boiled egg yolk! too quickly) but related to surgery NOTHING! I wrote a will and advanced health care directive, my training as a lawyer says 'always be prepared', but that's as much thought as I gave it. I know that I am in the Lord's hands always, and was ready for what He had for me...Good always.

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?

Pick and chose your allies, you need to be surrounded by positive supportive folks, if you don't have any find some on the internet and know that your higher power is always in your corner. I stopped talking about it to family and some friends that 'had funky, doubtful' things to say. this is about me and me alone, naysayers are really talking about themselves when they make negative comments, it's about their fear, insecurity and willingness to make a major life change. If you can get that listen to them, if not - change the station and keep counsel with those love you unconditionally and offer you only positive thoughts, prayers and words

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

Told necessary parties (direct and indirect supervisors) took 3 weeks leave and shut my mouth. to some -"abdominal surgery" other's the truth, ultimately you judge the person's character. And anyway, when you do get back, folks will figure "it" out anyway.

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

Pleasant

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

None, except gas pain in my back - too Gas -X

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

Had a quick turnaround. Prepared by getting my foods together, protein samples, bought reading materials and cards, stopped talking to folks about it, and prayed. Anxiety about pain greatest source of anxiety, then realized that I couldn't control that but drugs surely would so, I let it go.

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

Get up out of the bed and keep your circulation moving, the more you ambulate the better your body responds to healing, stay connected to folks on the web/phone who are WLS successes! Had one crying jag - what had I done, reconfigured my anatomy, I can't have my XYZ favority foods, boo hoo hoo. Then my husban reminded me about my apnea, my difficulty getting out of bed, my inability to ride certain rides at the amusement park. Then I sobered up and realized that this is probably the best decision I made to take care of me.

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

3 miles, it was local

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.

Weeks 1 and 2 - nothing fried, greasy or even fried or greasy smelling. Week 3 (now) fresh roasted peanuts and pumpkin seeds (meet's my salt, fat cravings), almond and peanut butter, soft eggs, mashed potatoes and rice, decaf coffee. I am still really drinking my meals, I do at least 3 protein shakes a day, very little interest in 'whole foods'. From time to time, pureed salmon, chicken and mashed veggies, but enjoy my protein shakes and sugar free popsicles.

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

Moderate, move about the house, some walking around the mall, laundry, driving, cooking for my husband.

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

2 Flintstones chewables, B12, 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?

None

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

Not having any fluids immediately after the surgery, was so dry, lips were like paper.

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

First meeting next week; have received calls from dieticians at hospital very encouraging.

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

I have 6 little lines on my tummy, nothing even noticeable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

N/A

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

N/A