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

Back in the 1980's with the success that Dr. S. Ross Fox was having. There was a local TV report done about it and that is what captured my attention. At that time it was $5K to have the surgery ;-) My initial impressions were that I was excited at the thought of losing the weight, but scared of the long term effects of having my stomach stapled with permanent alterations.

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

2004: NEVER take their 'word' for it even if you have documented your conversations with who, what, where and when! ALWAYS make them put it in writing for you. I documented everything for just short of 6 months only to have them tell me that they did not tell me "that"... It was my word against theirs, and guess who won? GET IT IN WRITING by sending them written questions forcing them to respond back in writing. I was/am very VERY disappointed in Pacific Care's handling of my biatric surgery approval process as a result. 2012: I have Arizona Blue Cross Blue Shield and it's been a very positive experience. The requirements were reasonable and approval was within days of submitting by my PCP.

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

2004: Before I started the actual consultation with the surgeon I did as much homework and research as possible on the internet. I was involved with chat groups, read forums, visited my states medical board to view any activity with his license. I educated myself on the proceedure as much as practical so that when I went in for my initial consultation I was already aware of many of the things they would later describe to me. 2012: The process was very different this go around - I attended 3 different seminars put on by the surgical centers and doctors involved with each. I chose my doctor from these. Their presentation was focused more in line with my beliefs. I do not "buy into" this "just because you are fat you are unhealthy and can't live life - once you have surgery everything will be smelling like roses' mentality. There are MANY people like myself who love ourselves in spite of our being FAT and don't think that just because we lose this weight all the things we are unable to do now we will find ourselves doing then. Life is about obstacles! Just because you lose the weight doesn't mean you will not have obstacles. You will, just different ones.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

2004: Failure with every attempt at weight loss and no longer wanting to struggle with my love affair with food. I no longer have the choice to eat what I want now and go back to the diet tomorrow 'mentality'. Now I have a tool that I can use that makes that choice for me. I don't get to put off to tomorrow what I can binge on today. I pay the consequences of my actions immediately! If I do not eat properly, my lesson is NOW - not 10, 20, 30, 40 lbs. from now. 2012: I have known from the moment I lost my band that I would have surgery again as soon as I had insurance that covered it. The band was a wonderful tool and I would of done it again. With evolution however, I have decided to have the VGS (sleeve). I feel that it a much better option than the lap-band, and the bypass is something I am still not comfortable with.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

2004: My research was initially focused on proceedures that my insurance would cover for the obvious reason. I unexpectedly found myself in a position of being able to self pay and at that point it was a 'no brainer' for me. I wanted the Lap Band proceedure because it was first and foremost less evasive, and secondly, reverseable. I believe that in the long term, my health will be overall better with this less evasive procedure than the permanent RNY, DS type surgeries. 2012: Seminars. I educated myself on what was available in today's world as compared to 2004. No question for me that the sleeve is a much better option than risking another complication such as what I had with the band.

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?

2004: I had no fears, only concern for my overall health post-op. I wanted a quick recovery and long term success once goal weight was reached. I do not want to exchange struggles for health at goal weight against obesity. Once I am at goal weight, I want to be able to basically "forget" and just go on with life... By then, the tool that I have used to get there should be engrained into my everyday behavior. I don't want to be worrying about malnutrition. 2012: Still the same... no fears.

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?

2004: I chose to tell only a select few. I do not want those around me to be my 'food police'. I don't need everyone watching what I am eating or commenting on my weight loss beyond the ordinary noticing that people will see who have not seen you in awhile. I want to be basically left alone so that I can deal with this in my own way, at my speed and on my terms. I don't need praise from others to succeed. What support I need, I will be able to get from those that I seek out who are walking down the same path as I (groups, etc.). One concern that I currently have is that some of those around me that I have let into this journey with me have not on their own researched what I am about to embark on (from what I can tell). I do wish that they would take the time to educate themselves just as I have had to do so that they are aware of some of the phases I may possibly struggle through so that they 'understand'. I am hoping in time that will happen. I guess what I am saying is that I don't want to be 100% "the teacher". Make sense? 2012: I have still chosen to only let a few select (as in BFF) friends other than my mother know of my pending surgery. I just feel that this is a personal choice that I am making for myself and there really isn't a need to discuss it with others outside of the "community". As those around me find out, no big deal - just not going out there and advertising it.

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

2004: Initially my employer's response was very upsetting to me. They were not going to pay me for my time off because tho they would not come right out and say it, it is my belief that they did not personally agree with the surgery. I am a salaried Sr. Manager and I was asking for one week off. After a couple days thought by them, they did change their mind after a somewhat lengthy sit down discussion. They were more supportive the second go around than they were the first. I think they were surprised by my somewhat defiant attitude and did not want to create problems over their denial. I knew I was a valued employee with much contribution to the success of this company and I felt that I deserved this small jesture from them of a week's salary. They concurred. 2012: No employer to worry about. Unfortunately I lost my job recently and am pushing to have the surgery done before going back into the job market. The time couldn't of been better.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

2012: The seminars (3 of them) were very enlightening in spite of my previous experience and knowledge. That experience helped me to select the best surgeon for me. It was evident to me which doctors I did not want to choose based on how they presented their seminar and responded to my questions about my previous lap band experience.

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

2004: Monterray Mexico: The hospital was much older and not up to the US standards that I am used to. I would not choose to stay at this hospital again (san pedro hospital/clinic) One of the night nurses was asleep on the couch at 2:30AM in the lobby. The equipment was not state of the art. The facility is not equipped to handle obese patients. The gowns were too small and they only allowed you the one. Thankfully I brought my own oversided sleep t-shirt that they did allow me to wear once I was out of surgery. You are not given slippers, be sure to bring something. I never saw anyone wearing any gloves. Nurses put the end cap of the needles in their mouth while they injected into the IV. 2012: Banner Gateway Biatriac Center

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

2004: None so far! 2012:

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

2004: Very happy to have it scheduled with no anxiety whatsoever! 2012: RELIEVED to be through the process of approval by insurance. Can't wait to get this done and over with so I can no longer be consumed with pushing this process to completition (surgically speaking)

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

2004: The worst part was traveling from Mexico to home just two days after surgery. Otherwise I was back to work the following Monday and other than being a bit 'tired' and lacking 'some energy' - everything has been SMOOTH SAILING! I am now 11 weeks out. 2012:

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 have found that I can eat pretty much the same things as before. What has been critical is that when I eat protein that I can't for example eat chicken that is not VERY moist. It get's stuck in my throat if I do not have it well lubricated. Just like everyone says ;-) I eat the toppings off of pizza, but the crust does not swallow well. Peanuts are too 'thick' and cause me difficulty. That is really IT so far.

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

just online yahoo groups - which is working well!

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

5 little lap scars that I smother in Vitamin E oil daily. They are doing just fine and I suspect they will eventually go away for the most part like the rest of them have when I have nutured them in this same way.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Not a one! yeah!