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

I saw a commercial on television. I was excited. I wanted to find out all about it.

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

I had no trouble at all. If you want this surgery done, pray about it. Ask God to do His Will in your life. I left it totally up to Him and they approved me the first time. I knew He wanted me to have it done.

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

Good. Dr. Dyer was very straight forward. He told me what to expect and he let me know that this was a very serious deal. He explained that I needed to not take it lightly. Be prepared to ask questions and just ask your surgeon to be totally honest.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I needed to be healthy for my one child at the time. Now I have 2. I had one after the surgery. I knew God wanted me to do it also.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went through with my surgeon each procedure and decided because the one I had kept you from getting less calories.

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 was scared, but I knew God wanted me to do this and that He was in control. I did have complications and it was hard, but like everything else in life, it happens for a reason.

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?

They were very supportive and were excited for me. They were a little scared something may go wrong but they knew I needed it done.

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

My stay was good. In all I was there about a month if you add it all together. I would have some books, word puzzles, bible studies, phone card, paper and pencil, hand games.

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

Yes, I had some complications that my surgeon had never dealt with. I was scared, but knew God was with me and that I was safe. I prayed alot and stayed in the hospital and did exactly as my surgeon said. I wasn't allowed to have anything by mouth for 3 weeks.

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 tired for a while after surgery. I didn't want food, but missed it sometimes. I started feeling good when the weight started coming off.

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

It was slow getting things done at first. People would stop by and stare at me like they were expecting to see big weight loss results right then. It was hard eating only soft foods. Sometimes it was hard eating at all. Just remember that it gets easier and the results are so rewarding.

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

I traveled about 85 or 90 miles. It wasn't too bad.

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 didn't try to eat too many things at first. I never and still can't eat greasy things. I couldn't eat ice cream. Not even sugar free and fat free. It gave me dumping syndrome. I didn't even try to eat red meat for a year. I didn't eat bread for a year either. I think it is better to not even try the foods to see. You lose a lot faster if you don't even eat them.

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

My activity level got better and better. I would walk about 10 minutes every other day at first. Then it got to were I could do it everyday. Then I started doing it everyday for 20 minutes. Now I do it everyday for 40 to 6o minutes.

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

Multivitamin, B12 shot every month, calcium supplement

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?

Probably vomiting and hair loss. The hair loss was only bad about the first 8 months. The vomiting was bad about the first 2 years and every now and then can still occur.

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

Being in the hospital away from my family.

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

I have a couple of friends who have had the surgery that I talk to. They are great.

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

It is just a scar. It's probably 6 to 8 inches long. It is what I expected it would be. I would rather have the scar than all the fat.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am in one now. I haven't lost much weight since the birth of my son a year ago. I lost the 28lbs. I lost but nothing else. I need to lose 50 more pounds to be at goal and I can't get the scales to budge.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yeah, they always treat you differently if your smaller. They act as if you are some slob when you are heavy. Some people just simply don't understand.