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

i was just googleing on the web and it came up. from there i researched it more as the sites became available. i was very impressed with the thought of not being FAT.

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

i personally had no trouble getting approved. but if any please be sure to tell your doctor to document all problems so when the time comes for your records you will have a better chance.

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

my first visit was on April 1,2008. i was totally impressed with my doctor. he was an older man but very kind and sweet. he made it clear what he expected out of me if he done the surgery. be honest with your doctor regardless to what it is. he/she must know all about you because this is a major surgery and your life depends on your feed back.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i wanted to be alive to watch my daughter grow up.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

it wasnt even a second thought in my mind to have the RNY. if i was going to do this it was going to be extreme and all the way.

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?

my only fear was that i died and they had to call and tell my 13year old daughter. but my gut said go for it. i would say go with your gut feeling.

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?

they were happy for me. yes cocerned but happy. no i would not have done it differently. my family was supported exspecially my sweet husband. he was there front start to end.

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

i wasnt employed at the time and havent been for some time now. i married and he supports his family.

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

yes i was glad i went because you can get alot of information from those things. i not only went to one but two seminars. each one was different so i was educated to know what to expect.

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

i stayed in the hospital for i think three days. my stay was wonderful, i could not of asked for a better staff to care for me. the staff even went out of thier way to make sure my husband was comfortable. i definatly recommend bringing your own pillow from home.

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

my main problem was for the first 9 months i vomited all the time. as for dealing with it had no choice.

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 a relief. i knew in my head it was going to be a success. like i mentioned before i had no feeling so anxiety wasnt a problem

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

expect LOTS of pain in your stomach. it will hurt and expect to cry alot also.

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

i live in Meridian,Ms and had my procedure done in Mobile,Ala.

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 lived off of popciles and fudge ciciles. of course sugar free. i tried broth at times. off limits anything with sugar and when the doctor says no soilds he means no solids. i was given a paper and followed right along to my directions. it is like learning to eat all over again.

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

not much. i did walk alot because i didnt need another blood clot. walk, walk, walk.

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

multi-vitamin, stool softener, calcium, b12

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?

the vomiting. i stayed weak from not keeping anything in my pouch.

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

the long drive home. but my husband tried to make it as gentle as he could though.

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

my support is my family and best friend. did i mention my best friend had the same surgery the same day an at the same place. so yea we are each others support team.

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

i was looking for it to be bigger but you can hardly notice it now

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

about 6months out i had a plateau for a month but then after that i was losing again. until i hit my 1 year an i havent lost any since

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes i do.