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

I SAW A T.V. COMMERICAL ABOUT THE SURGERY. I JUST KNEW THAT I COULD DO THIS.

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

I HAD NO PROBLEM GETTING APPROVED.

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

MY MEETING WAS VERY GOOD. WHEN I LEFT THERE I FELT THAT I REALLY HAD A FUTURE, I HAD SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO. ASK ALL AND ANY QUESTION THAT YOU CAN THINK OF.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

THE THOUGHT OF LOOSING WEIGHT AND TO KEEP IT OFF. TO BE IN BETTER HEALTH. NOT TO HAVE TO TAKE SO MUCH MEDICINE.

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

THE HOSPITAL STAY WAS OKAY. I WAS THERE FOR FOUR DAYS. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO TAKE WOULD BE LOOSE FITTING CLOTHES TO WEAR.

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

NONE

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 FELT FINE JUST VERY SORE. IT WAS HARD TO GET COMFORTABLE TO SLEEP.

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

I WAS SORE AND WANTED TO REST WHEN I COULD. BE UNDERSTANDING ABOUT EATING AND DRINKING IN FRONT OF YOU. I WASN'T REALLY HUNGRY AT ALL THE FIRST FEW WEEKS.

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

10 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.

WHEN I FIRST CAME HOME I COULD ONLY EAT 2 OUNCES 3 TO 5 TIMES A DAY. I ATE MOSTLY SWEET PEAS, MASHED POTATOES, COOKED CARROTS, APPLE SAUCE, JELLO, CHICKEN, FISH AND PASTA. NOW I CAN EAT ANYTHING BUT I STAY AWAY FROM FAT, SUGAR AND I USUALLY CHOP ALL MY MEAT.

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

MUCH BETTER THAN BEFORE.

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

FLINSTONE CHEWABLE TWICE A DAY.

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 ONLY THROW UP IF I OVER EAT OR IF I EAT SOMETHING THAT HAS TWO MUCH SPICES IN IT.

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

RIGHT AFTER SURGERY IN THE HOSPITAL WHEN I HAD THE TUBE UP MY NOSE. TRYING TO GET COMFORTABLE TO SLEEP.

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

I HAVEN'T BEEN TO ONE, BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO TALK TO SOMEONE.

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

MY SCAR IS A LITTLE WIDER BECAUSE I GOT THE FLU WHILE I STILL HAD THE STAPLES. YES IT'S WHAT I EXPECTED.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES, PEOPLE OVER WEIGHT SEEM TO BE JEALOUS. MY FAMILY IS HAPPY BUT THINK THAT I COULD HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT SURGERY. MY HUSBAND AND CHILDREN ARE VERY PROUD AND SUPPORT ME ALL THE WAY.