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

I first seen about the WLS on TV with the Bariatrics Treatments Centers Commercials. My very first impression was.. .O MY I hope This is Really TRUE and Not just another SCAM To loose WEIGHT. I Couldnt even fathom loosing all of my weight perminately. Let alone someone that was going to change my body so it would do so. I was all Geeked about it.

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

Insurance Approval: I really didnt have that hard of a time with my insurance. It was all of the Testing I had to have done to submit to the insurance. Getting the Drs. offices to get off there duff and get the paperwork faxed over to BTC. My Advise to you is. The Squeeky wheel gets the Oil. Call them everyday. Hound them to get there stuff submitted. Insurance Company: BC/BS

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

I was im pressed with my surgeon. He was not only concerned about me. But also took time to talk with my husband and what he should expect. He was Straight forward and honest and pulled no punches. I liked that. To get the most out of your meeting. Ask all the quetions you can think of. And if you dont know what to ask. Reasearch what others have gone through and aske questions off from there experiances.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I couldnt hardly take care of my family no More.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I reasearched it on the pc. Got all and any information I could. Found out wichs surgerys had the best results. And went with the one I would be most happy with. At the time Laproscopy wasnt very available so I had the Open Gastric Bypass. I still dont think I would have the LAP even today I would choose the Open. Even though its the same surgery I still think people that have the Open have better results.

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 fears. Would be exactly that. Dying and Complications. I guess I have to honestly say. I was at the point to where I didnt care. Anything was better than living like I was at the weight I was and as miserable and depressed as I was everyday. And most likley those things wouldnt happen. My Biggest fear is somehow gaining it all back. I think that would be worse than EVER loosing it to begin with.

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 was always behind me from day one. My mother had her reserves and was frightened about the difficulties and things that may occure. But once they all seen how beutifully it all turned out I have had 4 Aunts and My Mother herself have the surgery done. And all are doing Wonderful.

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

Wasnt Employed. Was to heavy to keep a job. Never felt good enough to get out of the house.....

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

My hospital stay. I stayed in the hospital for four days. My stay was fine. The First day they get you up to walk 4 hrs after surgery this is very important. It helped me feel alot better. The more I walked the better I felt. You can not drink for the first 3 days. This was the worst part for me because the surgery made my mouth soooo dry. On the third day they give you what they call a Barrium swallow its an internal die of some kind so they can see if you have any leaks in your belly. Then You can drink. If alls well on the fourth day you get to go home. Nothing really to bring cept Loose clothing for the trip home, and your own comforts. Like fave pillow something to do,cards reading material ...But the first couple days your pretty much out of it. I woke up out of surgery with a binder on my middle and a morphine pump in my arm. "Wich was my Best friend for the first few days." The morphine keeps you pretty sleepy. Wich is good because your body needs it to heal.

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

The only thing I had was an extremely dry mouth and throat, because of the tube they put down your throat at the time of surgery. My mouth was so dry when I came too My toungue was stuck the the roof of my mouth and I could not talk. And the worst thing was having to wait 3 days to drink when all I really wanted to do was Chug A Lug. But Couldnt do that either because of the new belly. I had a dry spot on the back of my throat that I couldt not get rid of for almost a month.

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

Everything seemed to move so slow untill I actually got the date. Then Everything seemed to spin out of controll. In fact I almost panicked on the Pre-op Table. But I had to be there very early I was running on little sleep and alot of emotion and it just caught up with me is all and I cried. But Im glad I stuck to it and went through with it. I have no tricks on how to deal with the anxiety. Except I just kept telling myself .. ANYTHING is worth Not being this HEAVY anymore....

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

The aftercare with having the OPEN Gastric Bypass is almost essential. Not impossable to go it alone. But having someone there is a BIG Help. My husband was my leaning post. Dont know what I would have done without him. At first he had to do everything for me even wipe my bottom. God Love em. I had the support of my family. Plus I was the Guinea Pig so to speak. Since my family has seen me go through my weight loss I have had 4 aunts and my mom have it also. They are all doing wonderful. I had great support from friends and Family. And It made all the differance in the world to me.

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

My scar runs from my breast bone to belly button just like they said it would and its not very wide at all. I am two years out now and it has faded. It is a scar none the less but that doesnt bother me. I would rather have the scar than the Fat.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plataues: Hmmmmm Well for the first 10 mo. I should say I went on a pretty downward spiral. I hit my first big Plataue My first christmas in yr one. For the whole month of Dec. I lost nothing. I admit it scares you when you quit loosing for a period of time. YOu think O NO IS THIS IT.. IS THAT ALL IM GOING TO LOOSE. But it starts again. I would plataue and loose then Plataue and then loose. My whole second year was that way. But it comes off Dont be afraid. And Altimately even if the worst you can expect happens. "Wich I doubt It will" But if you stop loosing way before you expect to. Tell youself SOME is BETTER than None.....Would you rather have at least lost what you did. Or be back at the state you were in before you started.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. But I think its is not really so much the weight it is your attitude that draws there attention. I was More outgoing because of the weight loss. Happier, Chipper, Conifdent. People pick up on that. You Have your people that are in awe of your weight loss and you are the center of attention alot. That was hard to get used to. Especially when your used to being fat and ingnored. But is also Strength and confidant building too.