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

My cousins had it and I was scared of it. I have been researching it for about 2 yrs. Then I decided I would go to see a surgeon and ask my questions to him.

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

My insurance was the bomb...meaning that they handle everything and all I had to pay were my deductibles. I never had to complain to them everything went smoothly.

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

Very informative. I asked alot of questions and he was on the ball answering everyone of them from the least to the greatest. Alot of his patients do not like him because he is very strict but that is what I needed. Down 62 lbs is 12 weeks ain't bad.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of dying. I was tired of not living my life and hiding behind my fat. I was tired of being tired literally.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Snow's advice about the lapband plus my insurance did not cover the lapband.

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 did not have fears. I was dying anyway so I left it in the Lords hands.

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 mother was on board along with my husband and kids but my dad and older sister were frightened but I took my dad to see my surgeon and the doc relieved all my dads fears, plus the weight loss has helped too.

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

I did not tell anyone except for my family. I felt that it was no ones business. I just told them that I was having surgery and would be out for at least 6 weeks due to the physicality of my job. But everyone knew before I went back to work because I live in such a small town plus the weight had dropped drastically.

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

I was there from Monday to Wednesday. I loved my nurses and doctors. They took very good care of me and my needs.

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

None. I had no complications. I had done everything I was told to do prior to the surgery. I have complied with everything after as well.

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

Excited, Nervous and a little apprehensive. My husband and family got me through. Reminding me of how well I was gonna feel.

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

Depression, The first few weeks all I could think about was FOOD. It was every where and it seemed like it was the center of everyones world. Regret, because I could never eat all those things again. Then the weight started falling off and the clothes started to fall off. I started to feel good about myself and my decision.

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

About 90 miles. I live in Excel and had to travel to Mobile.

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.

Unfortunately, I can eat anything because I do not dump except on high fat or fried foods. I struggled with the liquid diet and the pureed diet to the point I did not do it. I just masticated my food as if it had been pureed and I still do. If I want to try something I will. I want to learn how to eat everything in moderation even tho I still can not eat pasta or bread!

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

I walk for an hour or more, 4.5 miles a day. 5 out of 7 days. I have a dream of joining the YMCA and getting a personal trainer in the fall.

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

My doc put me on B12 shots once a month and daily prenatal tablets. Plus I also take 3 calcium chews aday.

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?

So far I have not experienced any nausea, vomiting, dumping or hair loss. I eat exactly what I am suppose to eat and take my vitamins everyday. The only time I vomit is when I try to eat to fast and it hangs up. I have to get it back up then and slow my eating or discontinue eating.

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

Fighting with head hunger has been the worst for me. I had such a wonderful and blissful surgery thats all I can think of.

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

I go to the obesityhelp.com website for all my unanswered questions plus I talk with a few of my relatives that have had the surgery.

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

I have 10 little holes from the lap rny and the gallbladder surgery. It was just what I thought it would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been extremely lucky. When I think its a plateau thats when I'll drop a couple of pounds but usually I drop about a pound a day.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet because I am still over weight but I do believe it will come.