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

SCAREY, HOW FAST COULD THEY DO THE SURGERY AND RECOVERY AND COMPLACATIONS

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

IT WAS EASY FOR ME I HAD ALL MY DR'S BEHIND ME AND A HUGE FAMILY HEALTH BACK GROUND OF HEART AND DIABETES.

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

CALM AND VERY HELPFUL MAKE SURE YOU KNOW ALL THE QUESTION YOU WANT TO ASK AND KNOW YOUR FACTS

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

THE FIRST SUPPORT MEETING I ATTENDED WAS MY DECISION LOVED THE GROUP AND STAFF AND KNEW THIS SURGEON MADE ME FEEL AS IF WAS HIS ONLY SURGERY.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

MY SURGEON DECIDED FOR ME

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?

NONE

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?

NOT VERY GOOD MY DAUGHTER WAS AGAINST IT, MY HUSBAND WAS VERY SUPPORTIVE AND STILL IS WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED 31 YRS AND HE CALLED ME SKINNY THE OTHER DAY....LOL A WONDERFUL HUSBAND HELPS

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

I AM A STAY AT HOME MOM

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

MY STAY IN LAFAYETTE GENERAL WAS AWESOME THE STAFF HELPED AND MY CLOSEST FRIEND {{{{ DOT DIESI}}} STAYED WITH ME AND CARED FOR ME IN THE HOSPITAL. I STAYED 3 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL FROM MONDAY THRU WED. AND WENT HOME AT WHICH TIME MY HUBBY TOOK OFF 3 WEEKS TO CARE FOR ME. SLIPPERS AND HOUSE COAT PJ'S PILLOW, BLANKET FOR EXTRA WARMTH. TOOTH BRUSH AND PERSONAL ITEMS. A CLOSE FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER TO STAY. AND A SIPPY CUP....LOL TO DRINK WITH

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

NO COMPLICATIONS

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 TALKED WITH A DR. AND STILL DO FROM TIME TO TIME. WE HAVE A MENTOR I CALL HER RHONDA HEBERT, SHE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO TALK OR EMAIL WHEN IN NEED. DON'T EVER BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS OR GET MORE INFO.

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

WORN OUT AND TIRED BUT I HAVE SUPPORT TO GET UP AND WALK AND DRINK AND EAT MY SMALL PUREED FOODS AND PROTEIN AND LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER. YOU NEED TO FOLLOW DR'S ORDERS AND CALL IF YOU FEEL SOMETHING ISN'T WRITE.

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

7 MILES

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

1 AMONTH WE HAVE SUPPORT MEETINGS AND THE STAFF IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE IN E-MAIL OR PHONE CALLS

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

NO SCAR

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'VE HAD A FEW IN MY YR SINCE SURGERY BUT IT HAS BEEN EXPLAINED THE WEIGHT COMES OFF SLOWER IN THE MONTHS AS YOU GET FURTHER OUT.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

FRIENDS ARE WORRIED I MIGHT GET TO SKINNY