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

I first found out about the surgery through one of my friend (Wendy) I saw her at a club and I did not recognize her that was because I had not seen her in such a long time and that is when she told me she had the surgery and that was close to Chrismas 2002 and when we left the club I told my husband I am going to have that surgery so I decided to devote my time to research the surgery and later Wendy told me that her Mom was a leader of a local support OSSG-Corpus Christi so I joined and they really helped me make up my mind in having the surgery they were like angels sent from God in giving me a new lease to my life.

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

I really did not have a difficult time getting my insurance to approve me they approved me in just two days I could not believe it but I one thing I can say is I would call my insurance all the time to see if they had gotten my paperwork from my surgeons office and I felt like I was a bother but I was determined that I really wanted this surgery so I didn't care what they thought of me I am paying them to put up with me I had not bother them in the 7 years I have had the insurance.

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

My first visit with Dr. Reyes was on 2-3-03 and the visit went great I know what I wanted so I told him and I had some questions for him and I know alot of what he told me I guess he know that I had quiet a bet of knowledge about of what I want and that was the gastric bypass

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I made up my mind to have the surgery with the help of OSSG- corpus christi and also Obesityhelp.com I also knew that I had almost every diet out there and nothing seemed to work so I knew this is what I had to do.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Well I wanted to have the Gastric bypass because it is the gold standard and I know that with the banding you can have it removed and gain all you weight back.

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?

I actually did not have any fears I would say If something is going to happen It is because it was meant to happen just like I tell everyone If you cross the street right now a car can run over you and you die is that going to stop you from crossing the street. Also just remember when it is time to go it is time to go and there is not stopping.

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 supportive of me the one that was against it was my Mom she was the one that would tell me lose weight and then when I told her that I was going to have the surgery she would just tell can't you just watch what you eat I would tell her I do everything that go into my mouth. Now she is happy for me that I am losing the weight we can share cloths again after 8 years.

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

I was out of for 6 weeks. My General manager was really scared for me. Now they are happy for me in my journey

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

What was the most important thing to me was not a thing it was my DEAR HUSBAND if it wasn't for him I do not know how I could survive through the surgery he helped me so much. I was there 3 days after the surgery. The hospital stay was Ok except when it came the 3-11 shift they were the worst in my book.

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

I am one of the lucky ones that I did not have any complications. I owe in it all to GOD! Like I like to say If GOd brings you to it he will get you through it!

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 stayed with my Mom she helped me through the week after my surgery. I really felt like I had gained more weight than when I first went in. I guess it was because I had my surgery laproscopic.

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

I can only say rest, walk, rest, walk

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

I had my surgery 2 1/2 hours away. I am lucky I have not have any complication. The only thing was on the way home I could feel every little bump on the road.

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 was on broths for like 2 weeks and then after that I was so scared to try anything else so I was eating mashed potatoes and baked potatoes for like 3 weeks I was scared to try something diffrent and then eventually I could tolorate chicken very well chew now I could eat almost anything very well chewed

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

I would walk up and down my Mom's hall way and then down the drive way.

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

I take my flintstones, calcuim citrate, B12 and of course protein shakes

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?

The only side effect I can say is the worse part is the hair loss I have loss and extremely amount of hair but hey I can deal with the hair loss better that been overweight.

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

NOTHING!!!

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

I find the local support group I am on very supportive it is the OSSG- corpus christi

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

My scars are by far much less then I expected I really thought that they would be much more. I am so happy with the results.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not really hit any Plateau as of yet I am currently 5 months out. I know I will hit some pretty soon.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really almost everyone is really happy for me.