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

My best friend and I started to research it. She was able to have the surgery before me. My initial impression was how dangerous it could be. But the end result would be worth it. I knew it would help me in the long run.

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

I had a challenge getting approval. Paperwork was sent to them in January,around the end of the month. About a week later they got a denial. They said that there was no psych eval (which there was) and that there was insufficient prior medically supervised weight loss attempts (which there was). So everything was sent back to them. It then took them almost a month before we heard anything. I finally got to schedule pre-op testing and my surgery date.

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

My consult with my surgeon was great. He's a very nice guy and he answers any questions you have. He explained everything to me so I would understand what was going to happen before,during and after surgery. You can get the most out of your first meeting by going in with a list of questions you have. Ask them even if the doctor already went over it,just so you have clarity.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

First and foremost it was because I wanted to be around for a long time. Serious health problems run on both sides of my family, so I am at risk double time. And lastly I wanted to feel better in general.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't. My surgeon only performs one type,so that was out of my hands.

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?

Of course I was scared about the death part.I wouldn't be human if I wasn't. But everything in life has some kind of risk. But staying overweight was a bigger risk,that's the way I looked at it. And still do.

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?

Hubby thought I was crazy in the beginning,but now that I'm losing weight his tune has changed. My mom was shocked but she was supportive. So were my dad and step-mom. My best friend was really behind me. She had the surgery before me,so she knew what I was doing and why. Everyone's been great afterwards. I could't ask for anything more.

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

Don't work at this time.

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

It wasn't too bad. The only thing I couldn't stand was being woken up at un-godly hours for them to take my temp and what not. That drove me batty after 2 days. Other than that,I have no gripes. I was there for 4 days. I made sure I brought my cd walkman (it was a god send!!) since it helped block out all of the noise,especially at nite. I brought my journal,but i didn't write in it at all because of the IV. It was too uncomfortable. I brought my gameboy SP. I played that a little. The only thing I could suggest is bring what would make you happy. And sane. A book,cd player,whatever. I also brought my own soap and shampoo. And I also brought my own clothes. I changed on my second day. I couldn't stand the gown anymore,it had to go.

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

No complications

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 felt great since I knew it was finally going to happen. I had a week from the time I got my date to the actual day. I was a bit anxious,but I looked at it this way.....I would go through some pain and some rough times,but it would be worth it in the long run. I'd lose weight,I'd be healthier and I'd definitely be happier.

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

Not sure I should be answering this,but,I wound up doing things I shouldn't have been doing. Everyone got lazy after I came home. It was like,mom's (wife's)home, we don't have to do anything now. she will do it. The house got messy so I wound up cleaning. I was told to take it easy for the first 2 weeks,but that went right out the window. Thankfully,nothing went wrong. I don't suggest doing what I did.

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

It was only a 20 minute drive for us.

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.

From day 2 after surgery until the 6th day,it was clear liquids only. IE...100% juice (1/2 juice 1/2 water),broth,water,sugar free popsicles,sugar free gelatin...for the next 2 weeks it was full liquids...protein shakes,sugar free pudding,alba,carnation instant breakfast,plus everything from the clear liquids list...next 2 weeks was puree...tuna,soup,chicken salad,fruit smoothies(everything had to be put in the blender)...then 1 week of soft foods...cheese,crackers,toast,canned fruits(in water or natural juice)

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

It was light for a week or so. I did go about some of my normal routine. I did go food shopping 2 days after I got home. I just went real slow. I tried not to do anything,but there were times I did get up and clean since no one else was doing it.

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

I take Bugs Bunny chewables...1 in the morning and 1 in the evening.

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 haven't had any of these problems (knock on wood).

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

The worst part for ME was adjusting to the new way of eating. Everything else was fine.

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

I don't go to a support group. But I do have my best friend,who had the surgery last July. She has been a great help to me the last few months,and especially the past 4 weeks since my surgery.

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

My scar runs from the breast bone down to right above my navel. It's better than I expected since I didn't have any infections or anything. It's actually healed quite nicely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I don't know if I've hit a plateau at all. I've only been weighed one other time (at my 2 week check-up). It's been about 2 weeks since then. I don't have my own scale at the moment,so I don't know.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some of my son's teachers have come up to me and said I look great. Maybe since I haven't been wearing t-shirts that are a men's size 3x (some shirts we have around that are an XL fit me) I look different. I don't know. I don't look any different to myself. YET