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

I was in the hosptial for Phnemonia, and several of my doctors told me that if I did not loose weight that I would not make it another three years... They all suggested that I think about WLS... So I prayed about it and talked to several doctors and then started my process with Dr Rehnke and would do I again in a heart beat... I have talked to several people and refered them to Dr Rehnke also...

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

With all of my health problems, it wasn't to hard getting an approval for surgery... Just be patient and never give up the right to be the best all you can be...

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

I was very happy that I was taking my first step in becoming healthy... I wish the best for everyone who may be looking into WLS

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My mother died at a very young age and I have two wonderful children that need their mother... My daughter has had 121 surgeries and is disabled... My children need their mother....

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance would only pay for the full gastric by pass... but I am very happy with my results and how everything worked out 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?

I had more fears about dying if I didn't have the surgery... If you don't have the surgery you are looking at some of the same complications... dying at a younger age than if you where fit and healthy

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 very supportive... they saw me everyday fighting to go on...not being able to breath,walk,do anything that I can do now that I am a health and fit woman...

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

All my freinds and family have been wonderful... I don't work... I have been on disablity for five years...

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

I stayed in the hosptial for 5 days, it was not that bad of a stay and what is most important to take with you is something good to read... and some of your favorite personal items...

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

No, I did not have any complications with the surgery

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 felt good, knowing that I had taken the first step to becoming a healthier person... I coped by knowing that I would be healthier and be able to do more in my life...

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

I just started walking alittle more each day... remember that you have to walk back home... build your self up slowly and you will soon go far.. I now walk 7 miles three time a week..

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

I drove two hours away from my home... but it was worthy the drive... I would have driven as far as I needed for the right doctor...

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 did a basic of meat, cheese and eggs.. for several months... Then I moved on to low carb veggies... I did not eat any potatoes,noodles, or breads at all for one year... and now I have them every now and then... I still can drink milk, have anything with sugar.. Remember you only need to eat to live not live to eat....

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

I took it easy and gradually added activity...Walking was a good thing...

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

I started taking duet pre-natal vitamins, and will continue to take them for the rest of my long life... I also give my self a B-12 shot once a month... make sure you have your blood work done like you are suppose to...

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?

Loosing my hair was the worse thing, but I started taking a hair,nail and skin vitamin, that is loaded with 3000mg of biotin... that helped alot... and now my hair is still on my head... has for dumping, as long as you eat like you are told by your doctor you should not have a problem... I have only had one dumping episode.. do what I am suppose to do to prevent any more... they are not pleasent

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

Telling my self to be patient... because I wanted to wake up and be thin... I had to work at it... having the surgery is only the first step.. you have to do what the doctors says and you will succeed in your journey...

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

I still go to the support group meetings, talking to others on the message board.. family and friends are a big support for me...

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

My scar is better than I expected... I have had many surgeries and had many scars on my abdamon.. My doctor made look better than it looked before my surgery...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, some of my friends don't even call me any more... and others keep telling me how wonderful I look... I have gone from a size 24 to a size 1.. wow.. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would be this small..