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

I first herd about the suurgery about 2 yrs ago But I didn't know at the time Insurance would pay and I got the run around every place I called so I gave up . Until one day I found weight matter's and clled they sent me a video and I cried and I made up my mind that day that no matter what it took I was doing it!!

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

I don't think I can complain at all I got a little bit of the run around someone telling me I need to call this place or that place but I finally got to the person I needed to talk to. I got my surgery approved in less than 2 weeks. They actually gave phone consent so that I could get my surgery schedualed. So over all I think I did quit well consider the nightmares I hear

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

I did not meet my surgeon till the morning of surgery which made me a little un comfortable but I have 2 friends that had surgery by him so it made it a little bit easier..

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I came to the decision that either I had this surgery now and had a chance at having a life or I keep suffering till I was too old to do anything about it I am really young and knew that I couldn't bear to be 245lbs or bigger I knew my weight gain would only increse. I was at my final battle over the buldge

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The one that had a better percentage of weight lose tyhe scar didn't bother me at all.I figure a scar or rolls? the decision was easy.(lol)

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 didn't get nervouse untill the week befor surgery then I got worried thanks to my Mom who was stressing me out about it ( I really love my Mom) she was worried that I would die and that there were all these risks and like I told her and I firmly believe the risks of staying heavy were far greater....

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 Dad was the best actually forked over half the money for my deductible and was totaly supportive my Mom helped me out and took one of my daughters for 4 weeks so I could recovery she wanted me to loose the weight but was sceptical of the surgey was very scared that something would go wrong..My friends were so excited a couple were jelouse that I was going to be smaller than them for the most part I got good support.exspecially from my husband.Daryl

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

I told evryone at work I was having this surgery I got lot of opions and I treated them as just that I thanked them for there concerns and let it go in one ear and out the other.My supervisior was cool.I took 4 weeks off and really only needed 2. Now that I am losing so fast evryone can't help but tell me how great I look(lol)

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

I HATED IT I DIDN'T LIKE NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE MY BED IT HURT MY BACK AND I WANTED TO GO HOME

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

NONE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT.I HAD PAIN IN MY STOMACH FROM A STAPLE BUT IOT WENT AWAY ON IT'S OWN

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

I DID NOT STAY IN BED I WAS VERY ACTIVE (I TRIED NOT TO OVER DO IT ) IF I GOT TIERD I WOULDN'T PUSH IT I DIDN'T USE MUCH PAIN RELIVE MEDICATIONS AT ALL i WENT BOWLING 1 1/2 WEEK POST OP(BAD NO NO)OVER ALL I WAS GOOD.COULDN'T WAIT TO GET MY STAPLES OUT

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

I HAVE PATIENT ADVOCATES AT MY DOC OFFICE AND THIS WEB SITE

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

MINE HAS FADED QUITE A BIT VITAMIN E AND MOTHER'S FRIEND HELPED IT LIGHTEN UP

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

NONE YET

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

UNFORTUNATLY THEY DO. EXSPECIALLY MEN. THERE LOOKING TRYING TO TALK TO ME AND I HAVE NO TIME FOR THEM JUST LIKE WHEN I WAS HEAVY THEY WERN'T TRYING TO TALK TO ME THEN EVEN THOUGH I AM THE SAME PERSON INSIDE.MY HUSBAND WAS THERE WHEN I WAS HEAVY AND NOW THAT I AM THIN. I ALSO NOTICE WHEN I GO SHOPPING(WHICH IS ALOT NOW.LOL)PEOPLE RUSH OVER TO HELP ME AS BEFOR THEY IGNORED ME