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

Dr Pryor did my gallbladder surgery 5 years prior. She suggested it then. I even went to the seminar. But I keep thinking, I'm young and I can lose the weight myself. In the 5 years I gained around 80 pounds.

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

I work for the insurance company. I had researched everything. I knew I qualified for the surgery per medical policy but was worried they would say no because I only had HBP and my BMI was high. Once I started the process I was excited. Then I got the approval and took the first surgery date they offered....Easter Monday. I never gave up.

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

I was in the hospital less than 24 hours after surgery. I have a hard time coming off anesthesia so I had respitory come in every hour and the nurses would come in every 2 hours. I did not get much sleep. I would ask for the pain meds every couple of hours. They were very helpful when I had to get up to walk and move around. I have a large family also and the nurses never ran anyone out of my room. At one point I had 16 people in my room!

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

None

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 sore for the first couple of weeks but other than that I felt great...weight was coming off and my joints didn't hurt as much

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

I relaxed the 4 weeks I was at home. There was some soreness but nothing else. You have to get yourself on a schedule with your drinking and that takes your time. I was trying to walk to the mailbox and back to get my strength back up.

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

I work with a lot of people who have had the surgery, they check on me and answer my questions. I love it.

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

I now have 9 little scars around my waistline. (5 from gastric bypass nad 4 from gallbladder). They are small and don't bother me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At the beginning I was losing weight left and right. Then at 3 months I didn't lose for 2 weeks. I was worried I messed up but then it started coming off again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. People who didn't talk to me are now talking to me all the time. Some people who use to talk to me do not. I'm still the same just looking different.