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

My cousins wife had it done. And I knew I need a permanent change. I thought it was drastic and my family would not understand so I waited until I got married and did it for me.

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 from what I understand the insurance companies just recently started giving patients a hard time.

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

Have all your questions ready do alot a research on your own. Be prepared to wait.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just couldn't take it anymore and I didn't want to have complications as I got older.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Looked in the mirror. Tried to buy clothes and nothing fit.

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 looked at the statistics If I stayed the way I was I would eventually die from complications from my weight.

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 husband was my rock. My family was against it, they didn't know what it was like for me day in and day out. My husband did. They also had no clue I weighed 367lbs.

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

I was honest I started a new job and they supported me 100% with my decision

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

Okay, my husband didn't leave my side. The nurses where okay.

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

No I was very lucky

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 looked at the future and how much better I would feel and that everything would be okay. Positive that was my mindset

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

It was painful. But everyday it got better. I have a big family and the constant food around the house was hard

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

20 minutes from my home..

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.

Everyday I would try something if it agreed with me I would have it again. I sick 5 times in 2 months.

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

Low in the begining but it increases everyday

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

childrens chewables and calcium

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?

Vomiting is painful but thats what its all about

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

Getting there and actually having the surgery.

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

Once a month my doctor has support groups an they are very good they help you with everything

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

They are still healing I'm hoping they will strink as my body will. I look at it asa reminder of what I did.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet..... Some family members look confused as to whether they should give me a compliment or not...