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

My first impression was it wasn't for me but my health changed all that My cousin first had it about 2-3 years ago and she looks wonderful.

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

was approved after first letter.

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

My first visit with Dr.Lowe was wonderful. He is a wonderful and beautiful person, he is a fine Dr. I wish all Doctor's had his bedside manners.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

when I finally realized that at the rate I was going I would not be here to see my children gt older if I did nothing.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did a lot of investagation to make sure which was gonna be right for me. I weigh my pro and the cons for all the surgery and which everone was right for me that is what i went with.

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?

With doing all the research and speaking in details with Dr. lowe I really never thought of complications or dying. I also have a strong faith in GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!

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?

They all were very supportive.

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

very Supportive

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

My stay at the hospital was wonderful, I was there only over night but it was the best the staff was above EXCELLENT and that was more important to me was the way I was trated after surgery.

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

NO COMPLICATIONS AT ALL

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

SO WHAT EXCITED. NO ANXIETY.

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

IT WAS GREAT DID A LOT OF WALKING AND SIPPING BUT THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO DO. MY FAMILY HELPED OUT WITH THE HOUSE WORK AND COOKING, SO ALL I HAD TO CONCENTRAT ON WAS GETTING BETTER AND DOING THE WALKING AND SIPPING WHEN I WAS SUPPOSE TOO.

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

NOT FAR AT ALL LESS THAN 2 MILES

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.

wELL RIGHT NOW I AM STILL ON CLEAR LIQUIDS FOR ANOTHER WEEK BUT THEN AFTER THAT I GO TO SOFT FOODS, YOU KNOW ,FOODS YOU CAN EAT IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE TEETH. THAT WILL GO ON FOR FOUR WEEKS AND THEN I GO SEE THE NUTRIONIST AND THEN WE GO TO REG.YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EAT ANYTHING FOR A WHILE MOSTLY JUST DRINK YOUR WATER AND PROTEINS.

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

WALK AROUND YOUR HOUSE FOR THE FIRST WEEK AND THEN WORK YOUR WAY UP

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

THE SAME ONES I TOOK BEFORE SURGERY,

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 HAD NO SIDE EFFECTS, I GUESS DR. LOWE IS JUST THAT GOOD, NO MAYBE IT ME? YEA THAT'S IT,IT'S ME.

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

FROM MY POINT OF VIEW EVERYTHING WENT WELL, SO THERE IS NO WORST PRART FOR ME, MOST PEOPLE WILL SAY THE WAITING BUT IF YOU DO MOST OF THE WORK AND DO WHAT YOU DR. OFFICE ASK OF YOU AND DO IT WHEN THEY SAY YOU SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM, PLEASE KEEP ALL PAPER WORK ,IT MAKES THINGS SO MUCH EASIER.

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

PLEASE ATTEND YOUR LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP MEETING THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY ARE THERE TO HELP YOU AND YOU WILL NEED IT.

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

VERY SMALL INCESIONS SCARS AND THEY ARE FADDING OUT.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

NONE.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

SOME WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT THAT, THIS IS WHERE THE SUPPORT GROUPS HELPS THEY SHOW YOU HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS KIND OF BEHAVIORS.