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

My neurologist mentioned it to me due to somehealth problems I am having so I did some research and at first I was scared because I did not want to be cut open but Dr. Gibbs is so straight forward I am now confident that I made the right decision.

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

I did not have a hard time due to my neurologist and primart doctors writing letters to my insurance on my behalf

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

When Dr. Gibbs first walked in and I saw how serious and caring she seemed to be I was impressed. She made me feel like she cared about me not there just to "fix" a big problem but she cared about me before the surgery and she will be there for me after the surgery as well She wanted all of the people in the meeting to know she meant business that we would have to do our part if we wanted to succeed at losing weight and staying healthy.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Tired of feeling embarrassed about how I look in the mirror tired of feeling like I dont deserve to be happy, to live a long healthy life. Tired of hiding from the camera and hiding my body.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My neurologist and I talked it over together and since we have a close relationship his recommedations helped me decide

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?

Only fear that I have is the PAIN afterwards

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 is not too supportive except for my daughter she wa against it but when she came with me to one of my meetings and met Dr. Gibbs, she is now very confident and she is real help to me making sure I stick to my diet and exercise

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

No real reaction my now supervisory told me her brother had the gastric bypass surgery and it saved his life

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

Very Pleasant, though I was not feeling a young Doctor who was a resident AT ALL..

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

Not at all Praise the Divine

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 was a little scared but then i started to realize the good that is coming out of it...A NEW ME...A NEW ANEISHA

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

Lots of emotional ups and downs

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

I did not have to travel far maybe 2 miles from my house

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.

bananas no way, dont like tuna anymore cant eat grapes

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

I was in normal activity just a little slower came home answered some emails cleaned up my house (No bending though, no mopping, no vacuming)

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

Caltrate, Flintstones chewable vitamins, Ferrex, and some medication to keep me from developing ulcers, and Biotin to prevent hairloss

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?

My stomach is still a little sore so cant sleep the way I want and heartburn is driving me crazy, But No dumping, no hairloss, a little nausea but it is not casuing me havoc

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

the Leak Study..To see if your intestines are leaking. That stuff you have to drink is SO DISGUISTING I actually had to force myself not to vomit.

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

I love my new found friends at the group sessions, they are so caring and supportive and have taught me alot of new skills and eating habits

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

My scars are not that bad. Five small little black dots

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none at all

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes Like I was some ugly big pig before I really dont like the compliments.