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

I was watching t.v. one day when I saw the commercial for Barix Clinics. I thought that Gee I wish I could do that. I thought that if I could do that I would be the happiest person.

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

I was almost approved for my surgery, when I lost my job. My cousin got rejected and got a laywer and fought her case and one. There are laywers that will fight your case, because they have had the surgery, you have to research all that though.

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

I had a 2 hour meeting with him and I ask him every question that I could think of, plus I had a list that I had wrote down before I got there

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had friend that one day cameinto my house and threw a check in my lap for $25,500.00 and said here is tthe gift of life..I knew from that day on my life would change

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctors at the Barix Clinics only do the open ryn. So there was no decision on my part.

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 knew that I could die, but that is with every surgery. I was just hoping that the surgery would go well with as few complication as possible. If you have any fears about this surgery, just put them aside...You have more to worry about being overweight, then you do about anything that goes wrong with the 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 friends supported me 100%. My whole family is still behind me and I have a cousin that is so happy with my turnout, that she just had her surgery last week and I hope that she does as well as I have

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

I was unemployed at the time, But I had did an interview and was working within 6 weeks

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

I had my surgery at the Barix Clinics in Philly. The stay in the hospitial was great, the people there were great and I was home in 4 days and I had Open ryn. Bring Chapstick, your lips get dried

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

No complications things went great for me

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

By day 6 after surgery I was sorry taht I had the surgery, the pain was terrible, but in the next 2 days I was at bingo doing great..I only had the blues for a day or so

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

The first week was horrible, i was in a lot of pain. If you have open the pain is a little hard to bear, but for the most part the meds they give help you

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

I had to go to Philly, and it was 2 hours away from my house. I went back one time for a follow up and I have never been back..I am a bad girl

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.

The first 2 weeks was clear liquids. The next 3 weeks were all liquids. The next 2 weeks were soft foods. After the 7 weeks I went on solid foods and I eat almost anything, just not alot. I have a hard time with real fatty foods and sugar....SPLENDA is great..I love it better then regular sugar

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

The first wek I was slow, but after that, I was on the go and Haven't stopped yet

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

I have to take 1 vit in the morning and 1 at night..chewable Flintstones

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 dont dump that often, but it hurts when you do...It last about 1/2 hour. My hair is thinning, but I dont take my vits like I should..I think that is why my hair is falling out

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

the week after surgery, when I was in alot of pain. It was the best tink that I have ever done

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

My family Is all I have..tat is all I need

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

my scar is about 8 inches, they told me it would be 4 inches. My doctor found a couple of herinas and had to fix them

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes they do. I have alot more me giving me a second glance and taling to me..When I go out to a club, I have people wanting to dance with me and people that I haven't seen in a long time say Oh My God you look great.