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

I was aware of it - and the light bulb suddenly went on one evening - and I knew it was the last chance answer for me. I read everything I could get my hands on about it - and I never looked back once I decided to go for it. This site was one of the places I came for research and information - it was an absolutely invaulable source of information.

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

I wrote a letter of medical necessity (as recommended here at Obesityhelp.com) outlining to my PCP why I thought I was a good candidate for surgery and a positive outcome. I lucked out that he is totally in support of the program in NorCal Kaiser. He submitted my request in October, 2004; I was accepted into the program at South San Francisco in December, 2004; had my orientation in May, 2005; and had surgery in June, 2006.

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

My first visit with my surgeon (Neil Gorrin) was 2 weeks before surgery. It was more than anything confirming what I had already researched. DO YOUR HOMEWORK, PEOPLE! Learn everything you can about the procedure - the good, the bad and the indifferent. Talk to people. Use these boards to learn and exchange information. BE AS INFORMED AS YOU CAN BEFORE. BE COMMITTED TO FINALLY CHANGING YOUR LIFE FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH AND SUCCESS.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Realizing and accepting that I had lost control of the ability to do it myself. Once I made the decision, I never looked back. I never considered that 1) it would not happen or that 2) I would not be successful.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Kaiser South San Francisco does RNY - Lap or open - but it was the procedure I wanted to have.

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 think I only had the fears that go with any invasive procedure. I understood very early on the possibiities of complications from RNY - and understood that many of them were directly related to my committment to nutrition and taking care of my body - of being pro-active. My advises to other people would again be - BE AS INFORMED AS YOU CAN BEFORE HAND. UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE GETTING INTO AND WHAT PART YOU NEED TO PLAY IN BEING PROACTIVE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND SUCCESS.

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?

Ii made the decision on my own and then told them. I was fortunate to have their full backing. It really didn't matter whether I did or not have it, but it was a good thing.

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

My employer was 100% behind me. I was back to work in 2 weeks on a part time basis - but that won't be the case for everyone.

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

I was in the hospital for 2 nights. To me the most important thing I brought was bottles of Isopure protein. As soon as I could start drinking clear liquids, I started drinking protein. I got stuck in ICU because there were no other beds available, but it was awesome - great staff at Kaiser SSFO - they gave me the run of the place and because I had a really easy time, I was very low maintenance.

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

I have been blessed to have no complications at all. The only thing was when I first started eating solids, I threw up a few times. But with watching what I ate and REMEMBERING TO CHEW CHEW CHEW it got easier fast. Read and listen and do EVERYTHING your nutrition folks tell you to do. There are good and compelling reasons for everything.

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

As soon as I got home, other than resting a lot, I was ready to go. I felt great - had no anxiety at any time - walked every day lots of times, drank all the fluids I could handle - ate the food I was told to when I was told to.

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

Because I had no problems, after a week I was out and about shopping, walking, doing most normal things (other than driving and anything that involved lifting anything). Life was pretty normal.

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

I had about a 100 mile drive from Sacramento to South San Francisco. I never minded driving down there for appointments before or after (even when it was 3 times in one week) because I was so absoolutely grateful to be having the surgery. Some times the 2 hour drive was for a 15 minute appointment but it was cool!

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

For ME there wasn't a worst part - I wanted it, I asked for it, I got it - I was mentally, emotionally and physically prepared for it and have never looked back in 2 years.

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

I attend occassional support/post op groups sponsored by Kaiser South San Francisco. They are important because I get updates on changes in vitamin requirements, etc. GO! Don't skip out on these!

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

I had a Lap procedure - three of the 5 teeny tiny scars are no longer even visible. I have a gall bladder scar from 1980 that is still visible - but not the lap scars from 2 years ago!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I never really reached any plateaus. I had reached my goal weight (135) by March, 2005 (9 months post surgery) and have maintained it within 3-4 lbs since then (now 2 years out). I would personally like to break 130 and maintain it, but if I don't ever do it - it's cool - I'm down 90 lbs and ecstatic about that!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I feel like people take me seriously now - rather than patronizing the "fat girl" - or that people even NOTICE me now where I don't think they did before - I no longer feel invisible.