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

I wanted some help soooooo bad. But I had stomach problems and I had to have surgery, so I asked my doctor if he could help me.. I wanted to be healthy and smaller.

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

Do not give up.... I know some insurance companies take the longest time because they think you will give up. You have to play the game. But find someone in the insurance company you can talk to and "KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS".. It works.....

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

When you first meet with your surgeon, write down all your questions. Plus that will show him that you know something about what you are fixin to do. Let him know you have done your research. They like that.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Well for one I was sick and had a stomach infection, so I was going to have to have surgery anyway... So I told the doctor I wanted wls soooo bad also.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

RESEARCH.......... Talk to people. Read things on the web.

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?

You always have some fear. But, please check out your doctor really good. How long has he been doing the kinda surgery you wish. Ask his office for a list of people that he did surgery on. Make sure you talk to people that have just had surgery and then people that have been say a year out.... Now I did have the fear of dying but remember I was sick also. I did have some complications durng surgery and I had to have 7 pints of blood. But I am fine and my doctor and his staff were more than great. Even on how gentle he was to my family to tell them that he was having problems during surgery and it was going to take longer.

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?

Wow life is great. But remember if you have plus size friends.... Sometimes they will not wish to be your friend anymore. I KNOW IT IS STRANGE. But this is very common. Most all your family will be great. I did and still do have trouble with my younger sister. She has always been the small one and I think she does not like the fact I am healthy and happy....... But just let it go. Take care of yourself for YOU......

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

I am retired but I do alot of thing to help others. It is so great to have people say wow...... Give yourself a good month to let your body get use to the NEW WAY..... But believe me it is sooo worth it and so great. ps: You do not need to tell anyone anything. When they say, wow you look great, if they ask how you are losing weight, tell them a new way of eating and learning how to be heathly. IT IS THE TRUTH.....

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

People and staff were more than great. I was only in the hospital three days. You really need nothing.. At UT SOUTHWEST DALLAS everything was great. I needed nothing.....

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

After surgery everything was fine. I just could not do milk and I hated the all sweet stuff at first...

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 had no waiting period because my surgery was a emergency. Had only over the weekend to think about it. But I was so sick I was more than ready. Doctor Provost saved my life.

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

Just be careful getting up and down. you will not be able to eat very much at first. Take it slow and see what your body is going to do. Sip on water. Please trust me, DO NOT try any thing fast food for at least a month or so... NOT WORTH IT. Do not eat any sugar. You can find sweet thing really easy. Also rice is hard to eat. Also try not to eat anything WHITE...

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

Close to home.

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 eat NO SUGAR..... SUGAR CAN CAUSE DUMBING, I do not wish to do that. My stomach would not let me do milk. Milk has alot of sugar in it. And so does all the protein drink. The first week I was nausea, never did vomit. Had dumbing the first week, until I figured out what was going on. I eat nothing white. So white rice, bake potatoe, no cream sauces. No white bread, crackers. Just listen to your body. And do not waste calories on thing that do not give you protein and good vitamins for your body. Now I can eat just about anything I wish. SURGERY date was Oct. 2nd, 2007 Just a little though. I still eat NO SUGAR.

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

First week I took it pretty easy. Then after that my Dad got sick and I had to take care of him so I did anything and everything I had to do for him. Maybe this helped me. I just took my vitamins and ate when I could. Was not eating very much. But just kept going... But please get your rest. I did not get to rest very much for 4 months, while he was sick .

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

I take a B12 liquid. And my multi-vitamins, I take B complex, I eat alot of fruit. At least 5 servings a day. And really work on my protein. Still almost 10 months and still work on protein. But make sure you do your protein, because I did lose all my hair around the 4th month. But my doctor also said he thought it was also from stress from my DAD being sick. But my hair has grown back really nice.

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?

The worst I think was losing my hair..... Lost it at 4 months out. Now at about 10 months hair is back and thicker.... yea. Like I said I did the dumbing thing the first week because I found out milk has so much sugar in it. I have gotten that feeling of something being hung up, a pan between the breast you just have to lay back and rub your upper stomach untl it give way. Do not Panic.

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

NOTHING.............. IT WAS ALL WORTH IT. I did and still holding onto some beautiful clothes in plus sizes. I am hoping I can get them cut down, some I have never worn. I am now wearing a size 12 and maybe some 14. So I buy a few thing every now and then. All wls people should blog with each other and trade clothes. All my rings are tooooo big. Can not wear them until I know what size I am going to be..... so they are all in safe right now...

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

I would love to have a local support group. Can not find one. But my friends and family are all so great. But you know once you have lost some weight you just look at food so different. And you feel so good you just do not care to eat bad stuff.

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

After 10 months. No big deal. I had lapascope, so really nomscars. I am worried if I have to have plastic surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

always losing. Doctor told me it is time for me to start maintaining.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes..........I am always told how good I look. It just makes you keep on track. You change so much. You skin looks great, you just glow. My man sure does treat me really good. Such great sexy underwear........ yea.