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

I found out about it when carnie wilson got hers done. Then I just thought it was for people over weight with money. Then I heard of a woman that got it done that didn't have allthat money. I never thought my insurance company would approve it!

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

I not only called the place where I am getting the surgery but also my insurance company. My insurance approved it in not time. I think a few weeks. If your not getting the response you want..just call call call

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

My surgeon was very nice. she answered all my questions and took her time. She was very nice and treated me like a person not a patient. Write down all your questions. I got wrote down questions even from family members.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Knowing that I needed to do something with my weight that I was getting to unhealthy. -

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I just looked into it and decide this was best for me. It helps you lose more weight etc.

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 just didnt want my children to be without there mother. But I knew I had to do this. I knew I was in gods hands. And I would be fine.

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 one friend who didnt want me to have it and I told her your either with me or against me and she shut up and was for me to get it. MY aunt was really rude to me and was sometimes mean about me getting it. So if i had to do it over i would just tell my immediate family. My mom, dad, husband and brothers were all supportive and still are. My aunt right now hasnt hardly said anythign to me about getting the surgery.

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

I dont work but my husband just told his work it was female stuff :)

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

I got into the hospital on thrusday and left on Sunday morning. I brought my deoderant, lotin, stuff like that. Also some sweats to wear home. Also if you have problems wiping now I was told to bring tongs ..but i didnt need to cause i dont h ave that problem :)

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

I had a problem with diehrra. I had blood seep into my bowels and when i went to the bathroom it was old blood. They just ran a blood test to make sure i wasnt losing blood and i was fine.

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..at first i was like what did i do but now i am glad i did this. Best choice of my life.

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

I was still kinda tired and my cut felt funny without my binder felt as if it was pullin so make sure you get a binder. I have a high tolerance for pain so I was never on the oral pain meds in the hospital.

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

I went almost 2 hours away to BTC no it didnt affect my after care

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.

First week was clear liquids, next 2 weeks were full, then next 2 weeks were pureed, then soft for 1 week and now regular. I am doing fine can eat almost everything. Love my milk :)

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

I am starting to do more things. I walked yesterday and didnt feel like i was gonna die.

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

I take a prenatal vitamin that they prescribed

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 have been having problems sleeping. Sometimes if i drink to fast It makes me sick

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

We just started a WLS support group in wayne county and it was real nice to have people around that have had the surgery or people that are wanting it

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

My scar is better then what I thought. It is very thin almost like a pencil mark

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Right now I am kinda stuck at 235 i have been like this for a few days

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yea kinda they dont stare as much.