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

I had a very easy time getting approval for my WLS and my TT. My insurance company is very good.

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

My first visit was scary, and was not organized and if I could do it over again I would write down my questions as I thought of them and just asked all then.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I thought this was my second chance at life, of being a better mother, daughter and person.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor said he would not do the procedure that would be permanant as it was too risky, He also said the one with the "rubber band" wasn't as good as the normal Gastric Bypass.

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 had no fears, I was going to die young anyway and felt I was dieing missing out on important things with my son and family. I had nothing to lose.

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 was very supportive, but worried for me. I would always say they thought I was crazy!

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

My employer was OK with me being out as I had STD and FMLA backing. I missed 4 weeks.

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

My hospital stay was as good as it could be, the nurses where wonderful! I was in there for 4 days. I slept most of the time and brought night clothes and books.

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

No

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 like he said I would. It was fun at first to eat only one ounce at a time, but after a while it was frustrating.

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

You need to just take it easy and test your food likes, some things I could not eat or drink yet.

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

I had to drive 6 hours round trip.

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

After my first week at home I was to almost my normal activity which wasn't much but sitting and watching TV<

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

I am taking a multi- and Iron.

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?

The worst for me was vomiting. It started about one month when I started to eat more than broth. I hated to vomite but soon found out you feel 100% better if you just get it over with.

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

I am on the Carney Wilson support group as there is none close.

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

The scare was very ugly and big which the doctor warned me about.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau at 6 months for about 6 weeks then started to lose, I have been on another one for about 3 months, mostly my fault.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Of course, men open the door for me and they never look in my shopping cart and roll there eyes at me, I no longer go out to eat and have stares if I order dessert.