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

I went to a dermatologist and he had liposuction in his office and I asked him how much it would cost to have that procedure and he said I couldnt get it because I needed to lose some weight and he gave me the number to Dr. duncans office. I was impressed with the information that I recieved and had made my mind up when I recieved it that I would get it done

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

I was approved my first go around. But I had to stay on top of my primary care dr. and believe me I gave him the blues when they didnt do something they were suppose to do

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

listen to what they tell you and ask lots of questions

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I talked to my god and told him I really really wanted this. And if he could please allow me to get it without me dying.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

At the time my doctor only did the rny

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 affraid of dying. To this day I never tell anyone to get it I dont want to tell someone to get it and they get it and pass away. I could never live with that. I just share my story. And let them know my experience

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 only told the people who really love me so thats not alot of people. I didnt tell people I associate with I didnt need alot of oppinions I had already made up my mind and I didnt want people trying to persuade me not to have it. My family were very supportive

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

I am a stay at home mom. I had surgery on a thursday sunday I walked 2 miles

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

I think I stayed in the hospital for 2 days . Bring your significant other, a friend or family member because soon after you have the surgery you are going to have to walk and the nurses and the aids might not be available when you are

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

Head hunger, I thought I was going to die when I got full off of a 1/2 container of kids size sugar free jello

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 very excited and I got on line with my weight lose buddies and told them my good news

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

depends on the person. my advice get up and out as soon as you can

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

50 miles didnt affect mine at all I had prepared for it

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.

My dr. had me on a liquid diet for one week I did it for 2. I followed my drs orders to the letter. and I have never gained any weight yer

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

very active but careful

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

magnesium potassium, calcium, iron, B12, one a day, about 8 more

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 still cant eat rice, potatoes, some beans, I never drink reg sodas. And unlike most people who have been out for 5 years I still dump nobody dumps after 5 years but me

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

waiting for appoval

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

This website

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

what scar its impossiable to even see my incision

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have never gotten down to 140 no matter how hard I tried but I look wonderful so I dont care. I did get stuck at 175 for about a month

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yeah I am smaller than all my friends. All of them. In the beginning people thought I looked like a skinny dried up girl but thats because I had always been thick and juicy now they wish they were me