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

I had looked into in 2004 and wasn't ready yet for a change in my life. Then i looked into it 2007 and i was finally ready for a change in my life. God and my grandson, daughter and husband made me realize that there is something we can do to get better in health wise and look's.

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

To keep trying and keep going back. Be persistent about to your family doctor.

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

My first visit was great. My doctor went down to the point and said if you don't loose weight i won't do the surgery at all. All the information we need in order to get ready for surgery which is called induction.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was finally ready for that change in life. I had become a christian and with god everything is possible. God, my husband and daughter helped me get through it all. I think it's harder when you try to do it by your self.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided to get the lap band and loose the weight slow. I didn't want the other surgery because i felt it was more dangerous 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 would say don't be afraid god is with you always.

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 are very supportive about my decision and are there for me at any time that i need them even friend's from church are there for me as well.

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

I'm disabled i'm not able to work because of my back i have degenerative disc diseas.

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

It was good, everybody was kind, I stayed one day and got out the next day.

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

I had no complication's whatsoever thank god.

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 nervous at first but my family and the staff at the hospital were reassuring me that everything would be o.k. I was also a little blue but got through it.

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

I was glad i was home, my family was here to support me through it all. You expect to have some pain and discomfort the first few week's and after that you should be o.k.

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

The hospital wasn't far from my home it's close to downtown San Antonio.

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.

Bread is off limit, milk also off limit. Greasy food sometime's upset's your stomach and meat's that are hard for you to chew is what i shoul be eating like steak, pork chop's, thing's like that.

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

Walking for 30 minuets at home or at the park when my back permit's it.

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

Children's chewable vitamin's and fiber choice. Eat all the meat's you want and take your time chewing your food then you wait 1 minuet and then take another bite of meat, and only eat for 30 minuet's that's it.

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?

I was nausea but then it would go away. Their is some food your stomach will not like, i used to love mc donald's but know my stomach won't tolerate it. You will know what food you can and can't eat.

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

Their was nothing bad about the surgery, i didn't have any problem' s. I thank god for that. By the time you knew it it was time to wake up.

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

Read the bible, talk to god that was my support Iv'e been looking for the support group here in San Antonio and have not found one yet. If anyone know's of one please inform me. Thank You.

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

I had laposcropic surgery that means three little hole's. I was scared that it was going to be big cut's.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I little pain to no pain afterwards.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, i get alot of compliments of how i look and are loosing my weight they are surprised that i have been doing well.