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

A friend of mine was talking about having it when I first heard about it. I was immediately interested in the surgery.

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

It took about 9 months for approval, and to be honest I thought that I had been turned down when I actually hadn't. Then one day I got this approval letter in the mail that shocked the heck out of me. My advice is, don't do what I did. Keep on the insurance company and if you don't understand what something is then find someone to explain it.

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

It was actually pretty surreal. There were about 30 people packed into a meeting where he explained the surgery. Afterwards, we all got to meet one on one with him for a brief consult. I think you should learn as much as you can about the surgery prior to the meeting then you should make a list of questions that you may have to take with you when you see him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to live.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon helped with that although I had done my homework and had come up with the same thing.

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?

Like everyone else, I had worries. Unfortunately some of those worries came true and I nearly died. I will say though that I would go through all of it to get where I am today. Healthy and happy! You just can't let worry keep you from taking the step that will save your life and return quality to it.

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?

Everyone was supportive with a few exceptions. The people who mattered most to me however backed me. The others just didn't get a say.

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

I simply told them the truth. I ended up being out of work for 4 months because of complications. They got the best part of the deal though. I am happier, healthier, and more productive now.

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

My initial stay was for 3 days. Then I developed complications and I ended up staying there for 1 1/2 months. For me the best thing that I had with me while I was in the hospital was an electronic Yatzee game. It kept me sain when I couldn't do much. Also, take a list with phone numbers of friends.

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

Many.. heres the list... pneumonia, abscess, sepsis, septic shock, collapsed lung, C-Diff.. I dealt with them by keeping it together in my head and wanting to get better and live. I just kept my chin up and I did what they told me to do.

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 was a nervous wreck and I had to wait 5 months. I was happy and nervous all at the same time. I went on a cruise during the wait. I also talked to friends and family about how I was feeling.

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

Getting the eatting part down was kind of hard, but once I got used to it all was fine. You just have to know that when things are tough that they are going to get better. You have to do your walking and breathing exercise as they tell you.

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

It takes about 1 1/2 hours to get to the hospital and doctor. I wish it is closer because they have a lot of services available that I am too far away to use on a daily basis.

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 won't eat breads or anything that will swell. No pastas and not much potatos. I stay away from all sugar. My tolerability changes all the time and it is a learning experience. I still don't tolerate meat very well. I stick to fish and a little chicken. I have to have it moist to tolerate it. I eat beans a lot. They are a source of protein which I can tolerate.

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

actually very low activity until about 4 months out because I was too sick to do anything. I then started adding exercise and now I go do Curves 3 times a week and I bike on alternate days 3 times a week.

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

I now take 3 Flintstones Complete Chewable vitamins/day and 2 Viactiv calcium supplements a day. I also take vitamin B12 shots every 3 weeks. For awhile I drank protein supplements.

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 had a bit of trouble with vomiting. I have only really had dumping syndrome once because I really watch what I put into my mouth. I ate something in a restaurant that must have had sugar in it. That was HORRIBLE! My hair started falling out about 4 months out. That was very bothersome to me, but now it is coming back in.

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

Getting sick afterwards. I was very very ill and I almost died. Not something I would really ever want to do again, but if it would get me to where I am now I would do it again.

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

I don't. It is available for me at my hospital, but it is too far away to participate. I actually found a group here in my town. I have used what's available and this website is awesome~!

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

it is about 6 inches long. It is better than most that I have seen! My doc is pretty well known for that. It is about what I expected. Update, my scar has faded well, but now I have a different one. I had plastic surgery and have a scar that goes all the way around. Also, I don't have a belly button anymore.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I experience these every couple weeks, but with a little change in what I am eating (sometimes I eat more and it kickstarts the loss again) and some patience I get over it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes and in some ways I love it and some ways it bothers me. People can be wonderful but they can also be shallow. I get lots of attention for the weight loss, but I don't enjoy people who talk to me now that wouldn't before. Men also now open doors, look at me and notice me. Kind of strange.