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

I found out through the internet. I was excited about it.

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

I had no problem with getting approval.

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

Great. Ask any question that you have concerns about. DO NOT BE SHY!!!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

MY friend died from being obese.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Me and the doctor decided which would be best.

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?

Ulcers. Bleeding ulcers. Do what the Doctor tells you and do not take any pills that can affect your stomach. I have no fear of dieing from the surgery because I feel if God forsees that it is my time to go then he will take me. Rather it be from the surgery or from a wreak.

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 were all supportive and me and my husband had the surgery the same day from the same doctor.

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

They did not mind. I worked my sechudale were I would not miss a full 2 weeks because I work 24 hour shifts.

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

2 days and very eazy. I had no complications what so ever. I was blessed. Shoes!!! Because you will be walking the floor.

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

No complications what so ever.

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

Anxious and excited. We had a party the weekend before the surgery.

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

I felt fine. A little sore. I went back to work after 2 weeks. I would have went back on the 4th day but the doctor made me take 2 weeks off.

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

100 Miles. None I made all of my doctor appointments.

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 have had no major problems with eating. The only things I have found out that I can not eat is pears, tuna, and turkey. It weighs like a ton of bricks and I have to throw it up.

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

Walking and just going about my daily life.

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

Woman's one a day with iron.

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?

None other than it has been 2 and a half years and I still have hair loss to an extent. Not real bad. Just enough to bother me.

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

My excess skin and going from a DD bra size to a A-.

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

Obesityhelp.com and 2 friends that have had the procedure.

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

Better than what I expected. My streach marks cover them up.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been at a plateau for a year now. I wish I could loose another 15-20 lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Very much so. They seem to have more respect for me and it seems that they do not feel grossed out by me.