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

When I first heard about the bariatric surgery I was very happy. knowing that there is something that I can finally do about my weight.

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

My eXperience with getting approved for this wls was find I had no problems at all I was approved the first week after my pcp dent in all of my paper work.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was ok.. i had a very long talk with my surgeon and he made me feel very comfortable, he answered all of my questions with no hesitation and was very forward with all of my questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Well being diagnose with Hypertension and Diabeties I said that is it the only thing that will save my life is this surgery,

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided to have the LAPROSCOPIC bypass being that there would not be much scaring from the surgery. and my doctor also said that would be the best for me.

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?

My husband Wayne was very supportive of me My grandson Curshawn who is 9 yrs old was very understanding and happy because I told him that once I have this surgery That him and i will be doing alot together and he loves going to chuckie cheese, so go figure.. Also my dad thomas was so happy for me but yet so scared after all was done everyone is sooooooooo happy. AND SO AM I.......

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

My stay in the hospital was only 2 days and believe it or not I had no pain just very sore. And I did not have to bring anything because i was told just to bring myself and the hospital gowns where perfect hey guess what? they were actually TOO BIGGGGGG.

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

I guess I was very lucky because I had no complications. The only pain that I suffered is when I came out of recovery my back was killing me, so I asked the nurse to please sit me up she was very amazed because she stated that this was a first I really had no pain just my back I guess from laying flat on the opreating table.

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

after the surgery I was just very sore and could not lay in bed on my stomach as I normally did, because of the soreness from the surgery.

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

My first week home was just normal I know it is hard to believe but there were no problems. Just back pain I guess from laying on that operating table on your back and not moving.

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

well I am not good at mileage but about an hour from my home. And it did not affect my after care.

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.

well in the beginning I could only do liquids, after a month it was pureed, yuck, but it was all worth it.

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

Just a lot of walking and walking and walking. And excersizing

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

I take B12, one a day vitamins, protenix for my stomach acids,Iron pills,and liquid vitamins and B1 one a day mulity Vitamins plus flintstones and Calicium.

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 had no problems I followed the doctors orders and My Husband was here for me every step of the way. So with the blessing of his help, there were no problems just followed the Doctors orders to the point. Oh yes let me not forget my Husbands advice as well.

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

Just wondering what was going to happpen in the operating room. And the outcome was good. I was also afraid of the drain tube that everybody was talking about, but you know that was my fear but it all turned out not to be as bad as I thought it would be.

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

My support group is th AMOS and they are very supportive and helpful.

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

What Scar?? lol can't see it it was done laprascopic and therefore you can't see the scar Dr. Tex did a beautiful job. But I can see where the drain was located.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Just droping the weight and loving it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No just everyone telling me that I look good.