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

My Dad had a friend of his that was a doctor and he did this kind of surgery. I went to see him but no luck he just gave me the run around for a year and a half then he ended up retiring and they gave me the name of the doctor that I have now. Best thing that could have happened for me. It was something that I wanted. Something that I needed to help me improve my life. I think it is a wonderful tool that they are able to give to us.

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

Like I have said, I have medicare and medicaid. They were great. At first I didnt hold out much hope getting the surgery. But I have to say they were wonderful. And no matter what you have - please dont lose hope,faith,and trust in your doc. If it is meant to be he/she will get it done for you!

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

The frist visit was great. They took all the information they needed and were very kind and caring. They were very supportive and were there to answer any and all questions. People should go with an open mind and see if this is what they need in the help with the battle of the bulge. :)

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am tired of all the diets - the pills. I am just sick of being fat. I am 31 and I dont want to spend the rest of my life like this. I want to spend the Most important years of my life THINNER. I know that I am going to do great with this tool. I just cant wait..

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor told me what would be better for me. And help keep the weight off.

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 have had several surgeries in my time because of a car wreck that I was in so the thought of surgery doesnt bother me. The complications of dying doesnt bother me because we are all going to die sometime and I would rather die knowing that I tried all ways to lose the weight. OR else I will die fat. You have nothing to fear. Pray and GOD will be with you every step of the way.

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 family and friends are very happy that I have made this choice. I have the best support group one could ask for.

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 a stay in the hospital. LOL I had a very nice room, tv, vcr, small refrig, couch, chair. Everything to make it like home. I was there for 3 days. And I have to say that I didnt care much for the nurses I had there, they left a lot to be desired. But the nurses aids were the best. They helped me the most and if it wasnt for DIANA I dont think I would have made it. She was GODs Angel to me! So if by some chance you are reading this DIANA THANK YOU!! :) I wouldnt worry about taking anything to the hospital they will supply you with everything you will need. You have enough on your mind right now with the surgery - dont bogg yourself down with what to take.

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

I was lucky, I had not one complication from the surgery and I hope that you dont either :)

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

Well, after I went to see Dr. Matthews I had a tentive date. And it felt good to have a date. But really I didnt think about it much. Because I really wasnt sure if I was going to go for it on that date or not. But anyway, the time has passed and I had to go for my pre-admissions testing and did that and then my surgery date was 4 days after that. The last day was the hardest - wondering if I was making the right choice, am I going with the best doctor? what will happen if it doesnt turn out the way it is supposed to what will happen to me. But it is just last minute stage frieght. Everything was fine!!!

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

Well, I cant give you information for weeks out because I am just about 2 weeks out myself - but I will give you what I can. I came home on friday after having the surgery on a tuesday. Anyway, I came home with some drainage from the site. But was told it is normal. I was in some discomfort but not enough to take any pain medincine. But the hardest part was being so sore that I couldnt move - couldnt even go to the bathroom by myself. I have to THANK MY MOM on that part. She was the greatest, and mom if you should read this THANK YOU! YOu are the best mom ever!! :) But as the next two or three days passed things got better. I was able to move around better by myself and finally able to go to the bathroom by myself. That was a wonderful feeling lol. But it all takes time.. and for me it was just a matter of a couple of days after I came home that things fell into place.

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

I was lucky, I was able to have the surgery just 15 minutes from my home.

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.

WEll, as you know I am only two weeks out so I can only comment of the week to week thing. But will be sure to come back more often and update.. While in the hospital all you could have was jello and chicken broth. Let me tell you after those three days, that was getting a little old. But things havnet changed that much for me since I have come home. Right now all I am eatting is grits,scrambled eggs, yougert, chicken broth, mashed potatoes, jello. I cant stand the rest of the food thats on the list. But I am able to tolerate those fine. Once I am able to change this diet I will let you know how things go.

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

Activity level days after surgery.. NONE or at least as possiable. But two weeks after surgery - I feel great can already tell a difference in my energy level. I dont have a problem going up and down steps. I feel great. I would feel even better if I didnt have the staples still in. Sometimes I feel so good that its hard to believe that I have had this surgery only two weeks ago. I feel great.

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

I have to take IRON,Centrem,B12,synthoid,and a couple more cant remember what they are but will update.

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?

Surgery side effects -- For me I have none.. I have no nausia, no vomiting, sleep disturbance, dumping, hair loss. Or it might because it is too soon to tell. But as of the two weeks, I have none.

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

What was the worst part about the entire process? Humm... I would have to say being so fat that I had to have the surgery. But the surgery itself wasnt that bad. If I had to pick something to be the worst, I would have to say it would be the diet at first. Because you are on just liquids or babyfoods at first. I just missed sinking my teeth into something and the chewing motion. But other then that it wasnt bad at all. Not when you think about what the outcome will be. :)

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

Well, it is very helpful to have family and friends to talk to about tihs. Because you are making a very big choice and you need people that will help you and back you with your choice. It is a very emotional time in our lives. If it werent for my family and friends, I would have been totally lost and felt more alone then ever.

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

The scar isnt that bad. I thought it would be worst then what it was. My Doctor did a great job. Have seen some other peoples scars and they are nasty - nasty I mean BIG,THICK etc. Mine is a very thin hair line scare with very little color. I couldnt ask for a better scar. Well, if I had the choice I wouldnt want one but since I have to have one I couldnt ask for a better one. lol

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

This is a question I can answer as of yet.. But when I get to that point I will be sure to come back and update.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Its a little too soon to know the answer to this question since I am only two weeks out. But I can tell alittle difference in the family and friends. They are happy for me and they are happy for me and cant wait until things start to change for me.