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

My primary doctor told me about it. and then he sent me to a weight loss doctor. who then sent me to the surgeon. i knew after my consult it was the right thing for me and could hardly wait for the day.

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

i didnt have any issues with insurance at that time. it was the waiting list for the Dr that was the hard part for me. i was ready today and wanted it now i could taste my future self coming alive. but it too almost another yr before that would happen my papers were lost so we had to start all over but once that was done it was less then 3 weeks till surgery day. night before going to hospital my parents took me for prime rib. was great .

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

after a week i went back. it was good knowing things were going as expected. My Dr. said a that time id never see less then 200lbs well my personal goal was and still is 150lbs when i hit 198 i was the happiest you'd everseen me in my life.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i was going to die. it was surgery to live and raise my 6yr old son. or give it now. i had no choice.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i didnt have a choice. Dr. just said to me this is what im going to be diong and thats that. all i could do i say yes or no. but yet again it was ok. when.

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?

at that time i think i had a total of 5 hernia repairs, gallbladder removed,appendix removed,surgery on both knees, (not replacments) so as for fear honestly i really didnt have any. in 1990 2nd herniar repair doc tells my parents kiss her good bye your not going to see her alive again. well im here to prove him wrong and that was my attitude to all my surgerys after i knew i had to be strong for my parents as i am my Daddy's lil girl and the oldest of 2. weighing at surgery close to 500lbs you have to be strong emotionally for yourself and for the ones you love. you'll make it through

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 had the best support team any one could have. my family was all for it. not one person was worried of my not returning to them nor was I. My biggest upset was recvery and not being able to be at home with my son. and thats only because i was a single mom he is in kindergarten and i lived 50 miles from my parents. My sister lived next door to me so she kept him during the school week and grandma would go get him on friday and take him home on sunday. i felt like a total weekiend mom with visitaton only. it was the tuffest part. andt that was only for a month while i recovered enough that i could go home to take care of him., well after 3 weeks i had to go home he was teaching himself to read and write me letters all on his own. i was missing out he was grownin up to fast. now he is still growintg up to fast 151/2 yrs old. and almost 6ft tall. after surgery and talking to others ......important.....follow up with a nutrisionist and stay with them. or you might be like me again. 330 llbs looking for another surgeon. i wish i knew that when i had my surgery. please stay with someone who can follow your care for life.

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

i wasnt working i am disabled partly due to my weight. i have always had bad joints. but the weight has ruined my knees i need replacments now. i have had 2 more surgerys one both and its just not helping anymore. arthritis has taken over. there are days i go from my bed to bathroom and thats it. this is why i have my lil zoey. she is very special comfort for me on my bad days. but just a special baby period. i call her my lil girl. . my knew family for the past 5 years and my lil girl mean the world to me. if not for them i dont know where i'd be.

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

i had to admit the night before. and surgery the next afternoon. i was on my way home by 3 mornings later. tooth brush if your like me and want yours and not a hospital issue as well tooth paste. a robe and slippers .

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

i had none i hear that there is some really nasty things that can happen. im thankful i didn't have to deal with it.

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

as i said before i just couldnt wait.

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

i dint live real cloe to hospital and the ride home was rough even though i had mom bring me a pillow. yes you will need a coughing pillow as i call it. you will cough after surgery it hurts grab a pillow hold on tight and let it out. i wont lie it does hurt but not as bad. same with a sneeze. since all this i have had 3 more hernia repairs and a tummy tuck. i know what its like for surgery. maybe i should be surgery queen or something like that. just kidding. but yes all jokes aside you will want a pillow. and just walk it help relive gas build up thats a big part of surgery and pain. it also helps heal .

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

the travel distance was about 75 miles to my parents and thenb i was another 50 from there this is why i stayed with parents for 3 weeks a little bit closer to the hospital and the doctor for my follow up and stapple removal.

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.

when i would eat it would be a medicine cup of jello or slim fast, liquid pain med, water, broth, all liquids. i did this for months. when i could eat my first bite of real food was from del taco at home where my sister and i would go all the time. the manager couldnt belive how much id lost by then about 80lbs. but any how mom,,sis and i went to lunch was kinda celebration day so to speak. i had bean cup so sauce and no cheese. i at till i was full. check it out blue his mind ....2 bites. i took it home my son had the rest for an after school snack.

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

i started gain confidence as well as engery and i could walk. i t was a great feeling.

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

multi vitamin.daily. calium with d daily, suppose to take b-12 but i havent taken it in several years since gaing my weight back i figured i should be

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 would only vomit if i ate one bite too much or if i ate somthing that was just not going to be able to eat anymore. i did lose hair coldnt figure out why. then found out it was side effect to surgery. didnt las but about a yr. i went through dumping , in fact i still do from time to time. its from to much fats or sugars.

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

nothing. it was all good. nothing bad to say about it all. Just follow up care is important information i didnt have and wish i did, if so i dont think i would be looking for a revison now. so keep that in mind if your looking at surgery. keep in mind after care is very important for life.

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

Honestly at this point in my life right now that is what im seeking for my self. this is important to me. I have found just talking to people where i go, travel ect in general conversation it seems to come up. Bariatric Surgery. yes i have had it. Yes it worked. ok so what happened. truthfully i am not completly sure. i am still looking for that answer. OK was it i started eating to much. could be, wrong foods, could be. ok so what are you suppose to eat i ask my self?? hmm i was never told nor taught that information. whynot? i ask this to myself all the time. I have found that the follow up care , nutrishionist care thats the most important part of the Bariatric Surgery. But, why then after my second visit i was told i was doing fine and released. I was still drinking from a medicine cup at that time I had not started eating again yet.

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

i had an 18in scar from breast bone to belly button.. yes it is what was expected due to the size i was.. after losing the weight i had the apron removed (tummy tuck)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

once i reached my last loss i had only 50 pounds to go for my personal goal. i stopped losing no matter what i did i couldnt loose any more.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes i did. .... its sad but thats how this world is. if you are not the barbie and ken type people dont want to speak to you. and if they have to deal with you its awful your treated like your from mars. and got a alien disease there going to catch instantly.