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

tv advertisement, I was so interested & shocked but very hopeful to finally get help available, scary

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

I tried for 14 long intense years & it was very heartbreaking & desperate when I was rejected a few times then I tried hard going through an agency for help, Texas Rehabilitation Commission & just as I was about to complete all the requirements they'd change it to more requirements, Keep that faith alive!!! the hope will get you through & by all means D E T E R M I N A T I O N!!! never stop trying!!!

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

I was there like any others I'd been, felt surreal but didnt want to ravel my feelings & hope again, please try & get all needed specialist appts in order so this can be quicker & in your favor!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

near death! had just survived multiple surgeries especially 5 due to a busted appendix of 3 mos near death with toxic... I had lost hope on this surgery in a way! I just wanted to live...

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

after all the years of trying I went for the more extensive crucial life changing one, knowing it was just a tool but I had to indure so much effort & going through all I had been through I knew I was strong enough for this quest!

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 not fearful of the surgery or complications, I already had recently gone through all the fear possible & prayed for 14 years that if the Lord felt this was for me to open all doors possible, since I wasnt contimplating this surgery anymore I decided if this is for me all is going to go well! I was basically going to die without it very soon so I gambled & won! DO NOT BE SCARED IF YOU PUT THIS IN GOD'S HANDS!!!

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 scared! I told them I was going to die if I didnt get it & if I happened to die now atleast I'd die trying to save my life to be here longer!

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I was glad but didnt want my hopes up again as many other times!

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

it was awesome! very wonderful staff, very exciting & surreal time for me & my family. take an mp3 or ipod to relax, cell phone for texting or calling, confidence & do not take fear or else...

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

I had to have an open RNY too much adheasions, WALK AS SOON AS YOU ARE ALLOWED THIS SPEEDS UP THE HEALING PRECESS & PAIN MANAGEMENT!

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

excited but numb this was actually going to happen, I took very good care of me so this date can truly be possible, I avoided driving or going out much because of not wanting to get a cold or anything to stop this from happening

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

I was a bit frustrated as my pouch was filled very quickly with a sip of fluid, at this point I was overwhelmed with joy that I was finally blessed but scared I woud have to eat like this the rest of my life

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

15 minutes

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.

NO BREADS, SOFT DRINKS, I DIDNT DARE USE A STRAW, NO GUM,NO SUGAR, NO BEEF! my tolerance was ok in very minimal quantities for the first 2 mos. I even started getting overwhelmed thinking I would never be able to eat normal again... I asked myself "what did I do? I will never be normal again with no real stomach! I realized this was temporarary & I could eat normal but moderately like a normal being!

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

I tried moving around a lot but never did get the abundance of energy I was expecting!

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

Building Blocks Bariatric products, all needed they are great & very inexpensive

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?

nausea, always but I was thrilled as this would help teach me moderation, did have hair loss 3-6 mos. after, ACID REFLUX was & is a major problem for me. I have violent vomiting spells periodically due to gallbladder removal during weightloss surgery. even now 1 year later I cant eat anything after 6pm

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

Acid Reflux, I am prescribed 2 nexiums per day plus Malox nightime(not found in usa)I cant avoid the violent reflux while Im asleep!

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

monthly support groups are very helpful & important, you learn alot from others too

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

mine is over 12 inches, I had to have open RNY but it is my "brave scare" Im honored & reminded daily of my sacrifises so I will never revert!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

if you focus & concentrate on the scale you will get anxious & obsessed weigh only monthly not daily or weekly!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes! I really never had a problem with my loved ones but society is not starring, although I always looked presentable clean & fresh there are cruel people out there!