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

I heard it from my good friend Judy , at first I thought it was crazy but the more I learned about it the more I felt it was the thing for me to do.

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

Well it was hard I was told 3 times I was not "fat" enough or sick enough, after I got diabetes and everything else then I was "fat" enough and sick enough and still I had to send 2 appeals, the only advice I can give you is to not give up, fight them , be informed, don't let anyone tell you "YOU are not sick enough" no one has the right to make you wait until you have problems to consider approval FIGHT THEM!

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

Like I mentioned be informed, but most importantly write down any questions you might have, no question is stupid

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

All my comorbidities

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

When I went to the Nutrition class, I felt that the Lap Band was defenitely not for me

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?

My only fear as of now is of dying, I think is more the thought of leaving my husband alone.

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 and family have supported my decision, my dad is still fighting me a bit on it and it's only because he's afraid I'll die, you see my mother passed away 25 years ago during a surgery that was suppossed to be "easy" and she never came out of it, she died of a Pulmonary Embolism so my dad is nervous about it.

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

Everyone at work has been great, my bosses have been awesome very suportive and have been very understanding of the being tired or not feeling weel moments after the surgery.

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

My hospital stay was good, the nurses were very helpful, I was in ICU one day to monitor my Sleep Apnea, and then transferred to a room the only thing I hated was being sick because of the Morphine but other than that it was great.

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

Thank God everything went smooth

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

Well I have an excellent support system in my husband, family and friends they all made it easy for me to deal with it, they all were very very supportive especially my husband Derek and my good friend Danielle

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

Well I only stayed at home a week and then went back to work, my work is very sedentary so it was not hard to deal with the pain, but the first 8 weeks after surgery were very very painful, so expect that

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

5 minutes from home lol

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.

Actually I have no idea so far nothing has made me sick except when I eat too fast

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

To tell you the truth I did not move around that much mainly because of the pain, at times it was even hard for me to breathe.

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

Daily I take Flintstone's Multi Vitamins, Iron, Calcium, Biotin and a weekly dose of B12

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?

Well so far the only side effect I have really noticed is my hair has started to fall out, but hopefully won't be for long.

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

I don't think there are any "worst" parts, it a process like everything else, it takes hard work and all you need to do is tell your self you are doing good and keep your chin up.

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

Well that's been kind of a hit and miss with me cause of my job, I still need to find a Support Group around my area, as of now my friend Danielle and all my Obesity Help friends have been my Support Group

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

I have 6 little scars since I had my RNY Laparoscopic

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I just hit my first plateau, I'm stuck at 42 pounds and to tell you the truth it's getting frustrating.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No everyone is just great as always