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

Internet. I didn't know what to think about the surgery because my primary doctors were against it.

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 in less than a week. I contacted the insurance company and was sent the criteria for approval. I them made sure that I had everything they required.

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

The visit was comfortable. I knew that Dr. Enoch would be easy to talk to and he just made me feel better about the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After attending a support group meeting.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Insurance decided 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 had a fear of pain-- I never experienced any pain at all. I would tell people to do as much research as possible before surgery. I recommend Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies. I read through that book probably twice before the surgery. I also recommend the online message boards. It makes you familiar with everything you may go through.

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 mother was strongly against the surgery, and since she had been ill, I didn't tell her until after I was back home. My friends were very supportive. I believe that my surgery and stay in the hospital was helped by keeping the supportive people closer, and excluding the others.

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

My employer as well as colleagues were very supportive and still are. They were in constant contact with me. I was out of work 2 weeks.

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

I was in the hospital 2 days. After the first day, I think the stay was enjoyable. After the second day I really wanted to go home. The worst part was the 3rd shift nurses--bad service. What to bring-- a good book, magazines.

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

No major complications; I did get a urinary tract infection from the catheter, it was minor.

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 got my surgery date about 4 days after my insurance approved the surgery, so I didn't have any time to feel anything but to prepare the house and pack.

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

My first couple of days from the hospital I felt fine, no pain at all. I did alot of house cleaning, and probably rearranged every closet I have. I spent alot of time walking around Walmart and Target. I paid for it on about the 3rd day. I had to stay in bed all day, but by the night I was back out shopping at Target. There was a terrible taste in my mouth that went away after about a week. During the second week, a severe case of exhaustion hit me, but it didn't last long. I think people should expect to feel pretty normal after surgery.

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

I traveled 25 miles.

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 am surprised that after about 6 weeks I can barely tolerate chicken and fish is/was out of the question. I am even more surprised that I have no problems with beef (in small quantities). I stopped eating beef about 15 years ago, but I seem to have a craving for it now. There are some days that I am able to eat more than 4-5 bites at a time, but for the most part, I still cannot eat but a couple of bites over a 1-2 hour period.

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

I was too active in the days and weeks after surgery (according to the nurse).

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

I take all of the prescribed vitamins. Multi, B-12, Calcium, iron, etc. I am still trying to get in 48-60 oz of protein. Some days I am pretty close, others, not so much.

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?

So, far I have not experienced dumping. I have recently noticed that I feel queasy sometimes, mostly in the mornings. I am also beginning to notice that I have a hard time falling asleep. This could be because I have more enery. It is currenly 3am and I am on the internet.

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

The unknown is always the worst part. But I can honestly say that thank God, it was not a bad experience.

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

I am continuing with a psychologist (she is also a former bariatric patient). I also plan to continue with the support group meetings.

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

My scars are fairly small, but at this point the itching is uncomfortable. I had expected all of them to be totally healed by now, but only some of them are healed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I feel like I am currently on a plateau. I am 6 weeks out of surgery and I have only lost about 30 lbs. I had expected alot more by now; for the past week I don't think I have lost anything.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I think it is too early to tell.