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

I found out about the surgery through a frined. Her daughter was having it and she did not have a great outcome. She lost her daughter to the surgery. I was very discouraged from that. But I prayed on it and then two years later I started investigating doctors and information about it.

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

My experience with getting approved throught the insurance company was a breeze. I went to the surgeon ad they submitted a request for approval and two weeks later I was ready as far as approval was concerned.

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

The first meeting with him I was nervous. I was scared for no reason. I guess this was my life that was going to change and change was BOG to me. He made me relax and went over everything with me. He talked to me as if the insurance company had already said YES! Ask all the questions you can because when you see that surgeon again he is going to be ready and you will be on the table for the proceudre.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being over three hundred pounds and tired of the scrubbing thighs and tired of the butt that was so big that you could sit a cup on top of it and it would not tilt.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I thought the less cutting the better off I would be

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?

Prayer is the best policy. I was not afraid

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 family was so so supportive. My daughters were ok withit but they are age 13 and 16. The youngest one was scared that morning of. SHe cried because she thought I was going to die. SO please tlak to your children help them to understand what is happening. My mother and father did not know I did not tell them because they were not in favor of the surgery after my friend daughter died. My sisiter was not supportive but my brothers were.

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

my job did not care.

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

The hospital stay was very restful. The nurses were nice but slow. When I had to use the restroom I could not go alone. So when Icalled them for help they took forever to come. I was not happy with them.

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

the only thing happen after surgery was I could not pass gas. I walked and walked but that did nto help. They did not allow me to lay anyway but on my back upright but once I turned over on my side the gas was released. I was in pain to turn on my side but being 322 and sitting on your buttocks the gas has not way to pass out.

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 was great just alittle lonely because I had no mate to help me throguh it. I had my daughters to make me smile but other than that it is best to have someone home iwth you to support you.

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

discomfort was the worst thing to deal with once home from the hospital. I use to sleep on my stomach well we all know that was not a option. SO restless night and not hungry at all.

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

15 mintue drive from home to the hospital

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 could not eat anything when I first came home I had no appetite. I put a spoon to my mouth with cream of something soup just to have a tate of something to say I ate. As the weeks went by I ws able to eat jello, soup, yougurt and s o forth.

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

I was slow at walking once home fromt eh hospital. Two weeks after I had some energy and went to the gym (dumb move) I was acting like I was cat woman. SO taking it easy is the best thing to do.

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 a exposide of dumping I was scared and just went with the flow of the whole thing. I still get sick after 1 year and 2 months of the surgery if I consume to much sugar or do not cheew my food.

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

no problems I am happy

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

GOD was my support.

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

I am sagging Sandy but I will take care of that in surgery if it is GOD'S will in another year

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

they say I am a fat hatter but I just let people know they can get better maybe I am too strong with it but I want people to be blessed like I have been.