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

Through Al Roker on NBC. I wanted to research it more and see if it was for me.

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

It wasn't that hard for me at all. I was blessed in this area. I was approved on the first try.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I couldn't take being overwieght anymore. All I could see was myself getting bigger and bigger.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon helped me decide.

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

I didn't stay in the hospital that long at all. I recovered quite nicely.

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

None.

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 relied on my husband and my angel I found here. I found myself to be very emotional after the surgery. I seemed to get angry, irritated, and or sad easier. It eventually wore off.

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

I was very very tired. I slept a lot.

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

I don't travel very far at all so this isn't really an issue.

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.

I at a diet given to me by my bariatric team. I didn't have problems with the diet I was given.

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

For me it was low. I had a lot of people tell me I was doing a lot but I tend to be high energy. I felt like I slept a lot.

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

I take a multi vitamin, Iron, 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?

I hat losing my hair. Everything else is manageable.

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

My loss of hair

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

I don't really have one.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some treat me the same, some worse, and some better. I deal with each situation as it comes. I was told by many that my heavier friends would be the worse because of jealousy but that was a myth. I have had a few thin women treat me worse that was a shocker.