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

Oprah Winfrey show. Got excited.

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

Didn't have a problem.

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

Thought she was pleasant. Thought she knew what she was doing. I didn't know anything about the surgery or how other hospitals handled the before and after care. Ask questions. Don't go with your first choice without looking into others.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My work was going to fire me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Doctor decided which would be best for me.

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 only feared having the surgery and the pain. I was told the complications were few and easily handled. Now I would not have the surgery. Period. I would have my jaws wired shut first.

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?

Family didn't want me to have the surgery. Work wholeheartedly wanted me to have the surgery, pushed me into it. Family was very supportive after the surgery...they had to be...they are still caring for me...someone else is typing this for me, I have permanent brain damage.

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

Employer pushed me into it. Threatened to fire me if I didn't lose weight. I have never been able to return to work, and never will be able to work again.

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

This hospital and this doctor had no before or after care programs. Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Anita Courcoulas. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE PSYCHOLOGICAL BEFORE CARE AND AFTER CARE!!! IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE ANY AFTER CARE PERIOD.

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

Big scar. I don't care. It doesn't matter. I will never be normal again, I am permanently brain damaged.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

This isn't applicable to me. I have hardly been able to eat anything since the surgery.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. My stepmother keeps telling me how good I look. Oh boy. But mostly, I get stared at for using a walker and being noticeably brain damaged.