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

I read an article and found this website. My initial impression of WLS was, "Wow, I am doing it!"

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

Insurance approval was a mess because I was 3 pounds underweight for the procedure. I appealed and was finally approved.

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

My surgeon offered a seminar before ever meeting with him. I attended the seminar and wrote down a list of questions. You can get the most out of this meeting my closing your mouth and opening your ears. It's also good to write down your specific questions to ask when you go for your appointment.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt like all my options were to time consuming. I wanted to get the weight off once and for all. If I could have stuck to a diet, then I doubt that I would have gained so much weight. Food addiction is the very worst habit in the world to overcome. A dollar will buy you a box of cookies.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Marema explained that the RNY was considered the gold standard in WLS, his expertise was enough to convince 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 didn't care if I died on March 20, 2002. I did not want to live one more day feeling like I did. The only fear was having to be naked on the operating table.

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 was completely against me having the surgery. I told them flat out that I am doing this for me no matter what they said or thought. In the end, they were very helpful and supportive but I had long since made up my mind.

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

My company was terrific about my time off. I stayed out on medical leave for 3 months. I didn't get paid for the whole time, but I didn't care. I spent those months taking care of me.

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 for 5 days. I am not one for being away from home but I did love that morphine pump. I liked being there for the first 3 days, after that I was ready to come home. Most important thing to bring is a journal to document your thoughts and feelings.

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

I did develop an abcess in one of my incisions. I had a nurse come out and pack and dress it everyday. It was just a fact of life, I didn't let it stop me from working on my success.

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 felt very tired for quite some time. Coping with anxiety and stress without food was new to me. I exercised instead and lost my weight so much faster.

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

Expect nothing but to get rest and recover. You need to focus on one meal at a time and just have down time.