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

My girlfriend at work was the bravest person I knew and she spoke to me about it ~ I felt so rich to have a true friend let me into her world.

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

I was denied several times but New Weigh made it happen for me~

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

I actually met a patient of his at one of the OH conventions~ She was the hottest woman there ~ AND I'm married with 3 kids oh and grandmother now of 3 as well! So I pulled her aside and asked ever so diplomatically " who was your surgeon?" She turned to me and said come with me. She introduced him to me! Dr Saucedo was there~ He's fantastic.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Meeting one of his patients and always of course watching my pocket was the ultimate " oh yeah I can do this" it was my AHA moment~ Saving for retirement? My funeral? Paleez! Let me look as fabulous as I feel for as long as I am alive and just cremate me and spread my ashes on a bed of roses~ I will be happy~!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The Price~ The Price of how much I could have done was what determined what I wanted to have done. I got rid of my winged arms, had my tummy tuck, lipo, brazilian butt lift~~ all for $9,500.00 ( airfare and 2 week stay included).......

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?

As morbid as it sounds only another person in my same situation would understand this: I would rather die on the table and be buried than to continue living with the feeling of despair that I will never again be me !

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 so angry with me that he didnt go with me~ but he gave the money for it~ because he knew I was not happy with me. He wanted me to go and find myself and come home happy!

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

My employers knew about all of it~ the bariatric surgery the workouts to get my mommy-makeover done, all of it. But the most supportive was the head of HR! I never understood why, but she asked that I keep her informed of my every step. Every time she saw me I could see she was genuinely happy for me.

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

I first went to the Dallas Convention it was awesome such an emotional journey for me. I saw women just starting their journeys and some just there to support their friends and some who had gone thru all of it like me.

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

Bariatric Surgery was the worst for me, that pain was worst than labor and I had 2 C-sections~

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 had post-partum depression with the bariatric surgery, I lost the ability to eat and missed my friend FOOD as if he had died! BUT with my mommy makeover wow it was heaven, AND I looked fabulous!

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

Monterrey Mexico for my mommy-makeover~

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YEAH now they see me ~