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

On t.v. and I had many questions. But I decided that If it could do what it saws it can do , the short term pain was worth it

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

The insurance approval was quite easy. Make sure that you have all your records with you. While you are waitingthe see the surgeon, have all the other appts. taken care of, then you are not wasting time. The most important thing that I learned is, that I am a very important person and I will not lied to nor taken advantage of.

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

Do your home work! You are putting your life in this person's hands, and you need to be able to ask the right questions. I had my entire family at my meeting with Dr. Sax , and he answered all their questions and then some.How does the office staff treat you?, they are the window to the doctor. Make sure you have all your records, it makes the process alot smoother. And also a list of questions that you want to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The doctor seemed to truely care about me , and what was best for me. We talked it all out, the good, the bad, the ugly. I want to have a better second half of my life, and I know that I can only acheive this with the surgery

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Read read read then talked to people that had had both then the doctor. I am having RNY open.

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 really don't have a fear of dying. God has brought me a mighty long way, and he not going to leave me now!! I truly believe this.

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 mother, and husband were quite scared for me. My childern were on board from day one. I think because they were around me more and saw the real pain that I was in . They understood better the problems that I was having.

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

I didn't tell them that I was going to have it done. I had a few complications, and I was out of work for three months.

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

The stay in the hospital was not good at all. I was there for 4 days, and my mother stayed in the room with me. The nurses, were very busy, and this I understand, but I had major surgery. I think that the major thing that you should bring is someone to stay with you at all times. You will need help with everything for a few days, and it was nice to have someone right there. A robe and slippers, for the walks is about all that you need. Everything else is supplied.

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

My outer stiches burst open twice. It was had to deal with, and painful, but I just kept thinking that this too shall pass. I prayed alot duing those first few weeks, and I truley believe that is what got me through.

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 excited!!! I was also a little scared, buy I had already prayed about it, and I knew that this was God's plan for my life.

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

I have a support group that I attend. I keeps me on track, and when I need to see how other people are faring. I didn't go before the surgery, but I think that it is important now.

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

It is about six inches long, and raised. All the other scares on my stomach have smoothed out, and I am hoping that this one will also.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Oh my , I had a plateau in January! I didn't know what was wrong! I went to support group, and they said up your water and protien. By the next week I had lost 8 pounds!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I do. I love the reaction from people that I haven't seen for a while. I seem to have become veyry popular. I have a few problems with it though. When I was fat you didn't wan't to be around me now that I am thinner you want to be my friend. I never new that there where so many shallow people around...