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

I did a search, and at first I thought it was a bit extreme. Then I realized I needed extreme.

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

I was approved by Medicare with the first contact. BC/BS also paid.

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

I met my surgeon at one of his seminars. I highly suggest attending one if you can before meeting with the doctor for an appointment.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Seeing all the successes, reading about how the surgery worked.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was not going to have the RNY or lapband and risk not losing enough weight or regaining. The DS was my choice.

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?

Whatever will be will be. Without the surgery, I'd be dead by now.

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?

My husband was very supportive. I didn't ask for any opinions. I made up my mind and did it.

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

I'm on disability.

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

I'm so glad I went. They had a support group first where you could meet people who were going to have the surgery or had already had it - people I'd talked to online. Then I attended the seminar given by the doctor. Being an RN, everything fell into place and made sense.

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

I don't remember how long I was in - 4 or 5 days? Bring a support person.

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

Hernia. Hernia. Hernia. Repair. Repair. Repair.

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 remember eating a small hashbrown patty without paying attention, and thinking I was going to explode. No anxiety in the beginning.

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

Take it slow and easy. You'll have good days and bad. Be patient.

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

It was 9 hours by car, 1 hour by plane. Aftercare hasn't been much of a problem, because I love Omaha and the Crowne Plaza where I stay. Very safte.

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 still have trouble 6 years later with dry, white chicken. I was gradually able to eat more, concentrating on protein first. You must take your supplements and find some protein you like.

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

Slow going.

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

Protein supplements, Vit A&D (dry,)Vit B.

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 didn't have any of those problems.

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

Being away from home. Oh, and the pain of surgery - that goes without saying.

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

Being 6 years out, the only support I have is a small online Yahoo group. It helps to have others to bounce things off of.

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

Vertical. Typical, what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I never paid attention before or now. I do feel more vulnerable. I plan to take self-defense classes.