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

From a friend. I didn't think it was for me at first.

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

BCBS had a no cover policy for any reason, no exceptions. If you have to come up with the money to save your life, do it.

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

He spent hours with my husband and I explaining the disease of obesity, the surgery and the treatment. It was very uplifting and eye opening that there was something I could do.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After weighing in over 400#, that was it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Wanted to have laparoscopic surgery, multiple friends from old support group used same surgeon, had a great reputation. I went to his seminar.

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 am an RN, I know firsthand of the potential risks and complications. I had to weigh those against the fact that I was already eating myself to death. Which was worse.

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?

Very worried yet supportive.

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

I didn't tell them I was having WLS, I did have a hernia repair and that is all I told them. About 8 months later I told everyone, very supportive and surprised.

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

One overnight stay. I had an open hernia repair as well as lap band and was in a lot of pain. Had great nurses who took great care of me and my husband as a visitor. They made me walk and do the things I didn't want to do but had to.

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

No.

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

Self pay, very little wait time. I was a little anxious, mostly excited to be on my way back to health.

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

Very weak and tired from lengthy clear liquid phase. Lots of diarrhea. At one week visit I was upset I had lost only 6#, they didn't tell me that was normal. I felt I had suffered so much for only 6#. I had to realize my body had survived 2 major surgeries and give myself time to heal.

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

About 15 miles. Does not affect my aftercare.

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.

Initially clear liquids, then full liquids, mushy foods, then solids as per doctor's orders which I followed to the letter. I thought I would feel hungry all of the time but I didn't. I didn't have much restriction until my first fill at 4 weeks.

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

Initally very little restriction. I went back to work after 2 weeks.

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

Chewable one a day and calcium.

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?

Diarrhea when I'm on clear liquids is horrible which persisted for about 2 weeks. I switched to only distilled water.

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

Insurance refusal to cover any expenses and post op pain.

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

A few WLS friends, family and obese people e-mail and meet every few weeks. Somewhat helpful, very important.

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

I keloid so it is large and what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

No platueaus yet. If I do as I'm told, I lose consistently.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

More eye contact, more attention, more polite, treat me as more intelligent.