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

I had heard of the surgery years ago on the Phil Donahue show. I was always curious about it. After telling my doctor about my many attempts on dieting he recommending me seeing and talking with Dr. Sellinkoff.

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

I had no problems with approval. I was approved by Prudential over the phone within 5 minutes.

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

Very imformative. I made a list of questions before hand which really helped. I also bought along a good friend who also had questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to lose weight and be healthy. Knowing that the insurance company would pay the entire bill I decided to go through it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I let the surgeon make that decision.

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 to death! I didn't want to die, but I knew that this was something that I needed to do.

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 very scared for me and out of love tried very hard to talk me out of it. Many friends did the same. In the end I was supported with my decision to go through with it. EVERYONE has been great, and they all enjoy seeing the changes in my body. I have taken pictures from the beginning and enjoy showing them off!

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

I dont work.

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

I did belong to an online message board, before my surgery which I enjoyed and learned a lot from. I suffered with a lot of regret and depression right after the surgery which I was very honest about and shared these feelings on the board. Unfortunetly, my negative comments were not appreciated by someone who had not yet had the surgery, so I stopped posting. I now get all the support I need from family and friends. PS...All regrets are gone!

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

After six months its still a little red and thinner at the bottom then it is on top. I am getting used to it being there, and it is not a problem at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The weight came off really fast at first. Now I am losing an everage of 10 pounds a month.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Maybe a little? My friends and family love me no matter what.