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

I found out about bariatric surgery on the internet. I researched in and realized it would be drastic but I felt the need to do something drastic so I would live to see my daughter get married.

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

Easy no problems at all

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

It was a group meeting with others thinking about doing the same thing. So we could ask questions, or someone else would and it was a great help.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

More weight, more weight, more weight...need I say more?

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Cook only does one type of procedure and it is the one I wanted.

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?

None, I had complete faith in my God and my surgeon.

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 said "go for it!" But afterward, I got "you know, I heard you can stretch your stomach back - you probably will,...", etc. But most were wonderfull.

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

Very nice about it. I scheduled it for after tax season (I'm an accountant) so two weeks after tax season I had it done. I was out of work for about a week and a half. Then I came back and worked some full days and some I went home early because I was sore or tired. He was very nice.

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

Professional, secure

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

no

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

Sick, sore, sick, sore, sick, sore...

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

Really wonderful, nutrition staff and monthly, quarterly checks with the doctor. Blood work for protein, etc, levels.

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

6 little lines no big deal compared to the weight I carried around so long. Definitely what I had hoped (how can you 'expect' anything).

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Yeah, we all get them, mine were at 210 and 175. I really worked hard at upping my protein levels to get off those plateaus. I found Herbalife then and got through the tough spots with snacks that actully upped my protein levels for the day quite a bit.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Before the surgery I was 'invisable', people didn't want to see me and ignored me. Now I am noticed everywhere - and you know what - now I don't care if they see me or not. I see me and that is all that counts.