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

My neighbor had it done and I thought I wasn't that overweight to need surgery!

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

It was wonderful! I was approved within 24 hours!

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

She was wonderful! She told me I was the perfect candidate for surgery because I was healthy and not as overweight as most of the people that she sees.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I was growing out of my clothes faster than I could afford to replace them!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lots of research!

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 honestly didn't have any fears about complications....dying....as many people who told me about the bad things, I honestly wasn't scared....nervous...but regardless of what kind of surgery I am having, I am always nervous!

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?

Some were supportive, some were not supportive at all and my sister-in-law, Karen, made fun of me for having surgery and not being able to lose the weight on my own. She also made the comment that I took the easy way out....If she only knew!!

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

VERY SUPPORTIVE!

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

The staff at UPMC Shadyside were wonderful! I was there for 2 1/2 days. I don't really think there was anything important to bring..

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

I didn't have any complications from the surgery itself, six months after surgery I had to have my gallbaldder removed.

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 thrilled! A few days before surgery I panicked and wondered what on earth I was doing...

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

I was sore and tired. I slept alot, but forced myself to move around the house a little.

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

2 1/2 hours.

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

Limited. I was exhausted most of the time! Once I received my first B-12 shot, I felt like a brand new person!

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

multivitamins, vitamin C, Caltrate, potassium, iron

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 didn't have side effects.

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

Just getting through the first couple of weeks, once the pain subsided it wasn't bad at all.

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

I found my October 2006 board on Obesityhelp and they are wonderful! It is important to have someone who is going through the same thing you are!!

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

I can barely see them!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

For the last couple of months, I have stayed at the same weight which is kind of frustrating. I've seen a slow down in weight....from 12 to 8 pounds...but have never experienced a plateau...I would still like to lose 15 more pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People don't state at me, even when I am at a salad bar....they don't state at me! That is such a great feeling!!