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

My best friend had the lap band and lost 50 pounds and looked great. She sold me on bariatric surgery, and corrected what I thought were the requirements for bariatric surgery (I didn't have to be 250 pounds to qualify for the surgery - my health condition was what would qualify me). Before seeing the doctor that would end up performing my surgery (Dr. Marc Zare) I had started the required process with a weight loss center that specialized in the lap band, but after finding out my insurance would not cover the lap band surgery, I asked my insurance company what I could do.

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

Make a list of the health problems you have developed that are caused by being overweight, and what you have done to lose the weight without success. If you have high blood pressure, are having joint problems and find yourself taking numerous medications to combat the problems you have due to excess weight, go see your family physician and ask for a referral to a bariatric specialist. Do not take "No" for an answer. If your doctor is aware that you have a weight problem and health consequences and he/she can't help you, find one that will be willing to refer you to a specialist. Once you have your specialist's name, make an appointment and they will look into your health insurance coverage. If your health insurance does not cover the bariatric surgery and you have the option to switch to an insurance that does, change to another insurance company that is willing to help you. Your bariatric specialist will guide you through the steps you need to follow prior to being qualified for the surgery. Normally your medical history resulting from being overweight is a key to being granted the surgery. Before seeing the doctor that would end up performing my surgery (Dr. Marc Zare) I had started the required process with a weight loss center that specialized in the lap band, but after finding out my insurance would not cover the lap band surgery, I asked my insurance company what I could do. I explained my weight induced health conditions (high blood pressure, sleep apnea, joint problems, and heart problems) and asked what type of surgery was approved and the names of in-network bariatric surgeons. I visited my family physician and asked for his help, and he referred me to Dr. Marc Zare who is a well known bariatric surgeon in Los Gatos, California. It turned out that Dr. Marc Zare is an in-network doctor through my insurance. I wish doctors and patients would start campaigns to make health insurance companies aware that it costs insurance companies more money to not approve and support bariatric surgery. I was on high blood pressure, depression, and pain killer medications before my surgery. I was suffering back problems, joint problems, heart problems, on and on, and on, health problems due to my over-weight problem. If health insurance companies truly want to save money through preventive health care they should allow and even promote the Lap Band Surgery for people with weight problems and a lesser BMI than the one currently required. They should qualify and promote the bariatric sleeve or gastric bypass for patients suffering high blood pressure and other health conditions due to over-weight issues. Health Insurance companies spend billions of dollars on all the health afflictions associated with clients being over-weight. I can imagine my insurance company is happy they don't have to keep paying for the increasing amount of expensive medications to mask my deteriorating health condition due to my being overweight.

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

My first visit with Dr. Zare was very informative as he had me view a presentation on the three main bariatric surgeries and how they work (gastric lap band, gastric sleeve, and the gastric bypass).

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My deteriorating health due to being over weight by over 70 pounds. My self image, not being able to do activities that I used to love to do (sport activities, and dancing). My best friend also encouraged me to make the decision.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on having the gastric sleeve because I found out my health insurance company would not cover the lap band surgery I had been looking into. Luckily this resulted in my finding out about Dr. Marc Zare through my family physician. Dr. Zare educated me on the difference of the 3 surgeries and the pros and cons. I also did some research through Google.

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?

The consequences of not having bariatric surgery were many more than any complications that can result out of bariatric surgery. Diabetes, heart problems, and the many health problems I was having were more life threatening than bariatric surgery.

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 family, and my true friends were very supportive about my having the surgery. They act very relieved to see that my health is greatly improving since I had my surgery. I have lost 20 pounds since my surgery date (3/19/12) and today is 4/15/12.

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

My advice to anyone having surgery is, "It's none of your employer's business!" You don't don't have to say what type of surgery you are having, you never know who can take your personal business and use it against you. Remember you are protected through HIPPA law. My supervisor would have done everything in her power to prevent my having the surgery. History on how this supervisors has treated previous workers and me was enough to keep me from telling this supervisors and her friend anything about my surgery

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Yes. I am glad I attended a weight loss surgery information seminar because they provided crucial information about the weight loss surgery.

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

My hospital stay was wonderful. The staff was wonderful. Most important things to bring are a warm light robe and comfortable easy to slip into shoes because you will be told to start walking to get the gas out of your tummy. It also helps to have a family member or close friend stay overnight at the hospital stay with you overnight.

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

The only problem I experienced was the painful gas pains which went away after 3 days.

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 am 3 1/2 weeks post op, and I still have pain in my abdomen but it is becoming less painful. It is not bad pain, but it is uncomfortable pain. The only anxiety I have is going back to the abusive, bully environment my supervisor is allowed to create in our work place. This supervisor and the one above this supervisor run the department through fear tactics.

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

FOLLOW EVERYTHING YOU LEARNED AT THE WEIGHT LOSS SEMINAR, AND YOUR DOCTOR'S POST OP INSTRUCTIONS!

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

I only traveled 45 minutes to where my surgery was performed.

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.

FOLLOW EVERYTHING YOU LEARNED AT THE WEIGHT LOSS SEMINAR, AND YOUR DOCTOR'S POST OP INSTRUCTIONS! The bariatric surgery seminar is available to all bariatric patients, ATTEND THE SEMINAR. Follow what they tell you. Normally they will give you booklets with instructions.

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

I am limited to walking as much as I can.

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

Daily Multi Vitamins, Protein, Iron, Calcium, for the rest of my life. I had the gastric sleeve surgery.

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 problems sleeping because of the pain discomfort while I am still healing, but it is getting less painful.

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

The gas pains right after my surgery. The pain in my abdomen.

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

I have signed up for the bariatric surgery weight loss support group at the hospital where I had my surgery. This is very important to ensure successful weight loss.

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

I had lathroscopic surgery and the scars are small

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am 3 1/2 week post op and after losing 15 pounds I am at a plateau. But I was told by several patients in my support group that this is normal.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. People seem more attentive to me. They don't look at me like I am unsightly. My family is so happy. My husband loves that I am happier.