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

About 5 years ago my husband and I started to look into it together. My sister had a gastric bypass a couple of years before that. I was scared and didn't think I could do it.

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

The first time, it was annoying but tolerable. Three years later when it was deemed healthy enough that I could try again it was much much harder. I had to start all over again, and the insurance company made it much harder. Not to mention that some of the appointments took 3 months to get. 4 months to actually have the appointments.

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

1st surgeon - Dr Papasavas He was conceit-full and condescending. He believed in his perfect record. For him it seemed like all he was about was keeping that record. But he was talented. He knew his stuff. 2nd surgeon - Dr Nahmias - He was amazing, friendly, and a real human. Right from the beginning.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I needed to get my life together.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was/am too scared to have a gastric bypass. I first chose a lap band because it was presented to me as the least risky surgery. I choose a gastric sleeve surgery because I couldn't have the lap band.

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 was scared that my infection would come back. I was scared that I wouldn't be able to handle the diet.

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?

Most of the ones that know were skeptical but supportive. The few that weren't couldn't understand why. They feel that being overweight, fat is not a bad thing. They think that I caved to pressure to be "thin".

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 her, but I will be out of work for 2 weeks.

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

No, it was a total waste of time.

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

Hartford Hospital was a nightmare. I was in and out for 3 weeks. When my doctor told me to come into the ER, I had to wait for 7 hours to see him, and he was expecting me. Saint Francis Hospital - a breeze. The nurses were helpful and supportive. The rooms were clean. The most important thing for me to bring was my slippers. The second most important thing to bring was a book.

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

First time, for my lap band I got the MRSA infection. It was a total disaster. Fever, leaking incisions, 2 follow up surgeries. It was a disaster. It took 6 months to start to fell human again, and 3 years before I could think about having another one. It was depressing and I put on 60 pounds. Second time, Gastric Sleeve - no complications so far.

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

First surgery, I didn't cope very well. I gained weight, and got depressed. Second surgery - I am working on it.

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

about and hour. It made appointments and follow ups difficult.