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

I found it on the internet. I thought if only? neevr imagining that 2 years latter I would have it done.

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

My went pretty fast but don't give up and wait it happens.

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

Scary bring paper and wirte down everything before you go writ any questions you have down so you dont forget to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I didn't want to drop dead at 32.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Doctor helped me.

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 was afaid i would never wake up. but here i am thank God.

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 didn't want me to have it at first but then he and everyone was so for it.

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

disabled.

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

I loved the hospital they were all so nice and helpful. They really cared about what happened to you.

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

I bled to much, but that wasn't the doctors fault. I bled alot all the time.

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 did alot of praying. Then I prayed some more. You just can't stay calm without the Lord.

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

It takes time. You want it to hurry right along but it goes slow as a turtle.

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

60 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.

No bread or potatoes at first. But know I can eat almost anything in moderation but sugar.

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

Low at firrst then i got this huge burst of energy.

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

Zinc, biotion, iron, multi vit., vit. c, b-12, 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?

Hair loss is about it. It lasted about 3 or 4 months. i take zinc and biotin and I used Nioxin Shampoo

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

I didn't do it sooner.

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

My family and obesityhelp.com. My angels were my Goddaughter Jamie (sweetdreams) and my mom. Its the most important thing of all.

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

Long about 10 inches, but the scar of being overweight is much worse to bear.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

you don't lose ever day sometimes it doesn't show for a week. Keep waiting it will show. Well I hit a plateau at 203LBS. It was misarible I was so unhappy because I just wanted to be under 200 but I am losing again so all is well. Dont freak out everyone hits them just keep doing what your suposed to and you will start to lose again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes people are always talking about how good I look and saying how they never saw me as big but saw my inner beauty. Inner beauty is more important than anything else. Also I noticed some people want me up helping in front of people now where before I kinda got shuffled to the back out of the lime light so to say.