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

A friend had the surgery. I said she must be insane no way would i do that!

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

I have only at this time contacted my insurance company to find out if it could be covered and they said yes after a process.

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

Not had one yet, but have talked to my primary doctor and he says go for it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wake up each day not wanting to face the world because of the shame.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Havent yet

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 have all of those fears but I trust in GOD! If he kept me all these years being overweight, he can keep me during this as well.

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 WOW! Well lets see he was against it but it seems more and more he is coming over to my side.

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

My supervisor is shocked. That is the thing about being overweight you tend to be one of the best actors ever! He just could not imagine me doing this.

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

They stay as far as the staff, they were pretty good for the most part. It was a very long stay, from Monday thru Sunday due to nausea. I was going crazy in there and ready to go home!

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

None due to surgery it went very well, just that darn nausea.

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 very worried the closer the date came. On the date I was still nervous but my confidence was in Jesus.

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

The days home were nice, glad to be out of the hospital. The hardest part is to watch people partake in the pass time you used to love (FOOD). Emotions run high and thoughts come a mile a minute. But you have to learn to focus on the positive and than God everyday for the place you are in. This place alows you to become heatlhy!

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

About two miles

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.

For the first 10 days after surgery it is just jello, water and broth NOTHING ELSE! Days 11-21 you may have flavored water, milk, eggs, cottage cheese and re-fried beans. After that some lean meats come into play.

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

I am still pretty tired but I have to push through it to get in the exercise. That is very important.

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

A MV, and calcium.

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!!!!!!

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

NAUSEA!!!

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

In my program you are follwed for 2 1/2 years. Very good after care. We have an online tool for support that can be used.

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

I have six small ones, not bad at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None as of yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

A little bit for me they are not sure what to expect and some are jealous that I will be loosing weight.