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

My sister had it done and didn't even look the same. I started doing research until I decided I wanted to be healthier. I wasn't at all scared. I was more scared of not having it.

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

I Didn't have a problem getting approved. so I don't have any advice.

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

I saw him in June,2010 and I had made of list of things I expectedand a list of questions I needed answers to. Don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you have because this IS life changing.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I saw my mother, very young have weight causing medical problems and die from them. I didn't want to put my family through that, but I could see myself going down that same road.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted something that was going to make me stick to it and was unreversiable.

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 didn't really have any fears of having the procedure. My fears were of not having the procedure. Just believe in your surgeon.

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?

I husband,at first,wasn't supportive at all. Then he realized why I wanted it he became very supportive. My family is and always have been supportive.I get some negative comments but they don't bother me anymore. It was my decision and I made the best one for me.

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

I just said I was having surgery ad didn't offer them an explaination. I went back after 3 weeks because I had complications,with no fault of my surgeon.

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

I didn't attend any. I wasn't required because I lived so far away. I just talked to my sister who had it a year before me

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

I ended up staying 6 days because I stopped breathing on the table. The staff were excellent. Slippers because you will be walking.

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

From the surgery not really although I did have one incision place wouldn't stop draining.

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

a little anxious , so I went to the beach to relax.

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

Everyone was wanting me to relax but I couldn't. I'm not that type of person. I wasn't in pain, some people have pain but I was lucky I didn't.

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

I had to travel app.2 hrs away. It didn't affect my aftercare.

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.

The first 2 weeks were tough nothing but protein shakes and water.Then 2 weeks later soft food only. I was nausiated alot. Now i can have fruit, vegetables,and protein. I'm scared of dumping so I stay pretty close to plan.

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

Light after surgery but now I go tothe gym every day.

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

Everyone is different but my bloodwork looks normak so all I take is a mutivitamin twice a day. I still take my Nexium because I have a sensitive stomach.

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

I don't I live to far away to attend one. I think if you have one close you should go but I have this site and I'm on here alot.

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

I have 6 little stab woulds, not bad.I expected it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My 5th month I hit a plateau for 2 weeks and freaked out but I asked the site and they gave me advice.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice alot of people treat me differently, in a good way.