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

I first heard about wls thought a search engine I was doing. I thought that it was just for the rich and famous. Than I start reseaching wls and decision that have the surgery is the best thing that I could to for myself and my family. I feel that this surgery is the tool that I need to lose the weight and to get my health back on the correct track. So I can be healthy.

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

Still waiting for medicaid to approved surgery.

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

When I first met my surgeon was when I went to see him to do my tubal ligation that was about 11 years olds. I thought then and I still think that he is a very nice and very kind person. He sat down will me and explain everything that he would be to and the way that he would be doing it. He told that this a very serious surgery and that I die from complication on the table or even after the surgery. He really was truthfully with me with the whole thing about the surgery that it was not something that I could to one day and change the next day that it is a life time change.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I think was finally make me to have the surgery is that my health starting going down hill. I suffer from asthma, gerd. sleep apnea, have c-pap machince, depression, anxiety, arthritis in my knees, ankles, and feet, swollen leg, lower back pain when I walk .But the number one thing is that I am not able to play with my children without getting out of breath or pain in my joints hurting so back that I just want to cry why me. I love my children they are my pride and joy and I did not want them to have to go to they mother furenal.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I chose the RNY because it done laparascopic that way I shouldn't take long to heal up. So I can start losing faster and getting health and fit and I be able to play with my children that I love with all my heart.

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 can't lye and first I was scare about have the surgery than I starting think that every morning that I get up out of my bed that is a Blessing that don't mean that I'll be going back to that same bed. In of word people die every day in different way, so if I going to die trying to getting healthy then it must be THE LORD WILL.

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?

The only people who know that I and going to have surgery is the ones that life in the house, the rest of my family would freak the f*** out. But I do have the support from my husband and my children and that is all that count to me. My older son whom is eighteen wants to have the surgery also, but I not sure if that is a good idea for him being that he is a football player in high sch. And he need all the weight that he can handle so he can tackle those qb.

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 nice all of the staff was very friendly and very effection. They done a great job taking care of me and my husband who stay with me in the hospital. I was only there for three day. Which was long at all. You need to make sure you bring something to read.

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

No complication at all.

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 I had my surgery my father passed away right after I had my surgery so I was kinda out of it. I felt anxious about losing the weight thought.

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

My first week was fine all my the drainage bag, I hated it just hanging out of me. I was glad when my doctor took it out on my first week checkup.

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

I really didn't travel that far I travel to Roanoke, VA which is about a hour and fifteen minute drive. My doctor is in Rocky Mt, VA which is about a thirty minute drive so my aftercare was okay.

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.

At first week or two I couldn't eat anything but chicken & beef broth and popicles. Then round about my four week I start try to eat mash potatoes and cottage cheese anythibg that was soft. I'm 7 month post-op now, I can eat just about anything that I want too.

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

I was very active because my father passed away and there was lot of thing to do surround his furneral. I now walk a mile or two every other day. I have a weight machince so I'm on it a lest twice a week.

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

I take Centrum or One-A-Day for woman.

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 used to vomit alot but now and can eat anything just as long as I chew it up well.

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

Wake up from surgery with those thing on my legs.

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

My aftercare support is great because it my family. Everyone makes sure that I am doing what I suppose to be doing. I think that support group are very important to have.

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

M scar aren't that bad because they are in the same places that I had my gallbladder taking out at.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

NO PLATEAU YET

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I notice that people look at me and can't believe how much weight I've lost. That I get more men attention. That my husband has because more effectionate and I'm loving every moment.