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

Roseanne barr she had it and looked great, i was sold then, then Al Roker and then carnie wilson their results inspired me. i knew then my life had to change for the better of course.

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

Mine took a month to be approved waiting is the most difficult always call the insurance bug them let them know why you need this tool they take notice to how bad you desire this surgery, its definatly worth the wait.

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

write notes down on a pad be sure you are clear on every aspect of what this tool can do for you. ask alot of questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I know this sounds crazy but I had dreams of me in my future and in that future i was thin and happy healthy. its true. it was my wakeup call.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had Rouen-Y HAL " hand asistes Laparascopic surgery where the surgeon actually puts his hand inside you for better results. My Doctor is the surgeon who started this surgery and is a great Surgeon I owe him alot His name is Doctor Dirk I Rodrigues located in Dallas texas USA. hes the best and i did a lot of reseach to find him 2 years to be exact.

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?

Well whatever religeon you are I happen to be christian I had put my life in gods hands. I knew in my heart if I didnt do this I would die from obesity someday. I wasnt really living my life before the surgery and now. I am living and life is much better. whatever is meant to be will be.yes I was scared and on the other hand i was not.

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?

Oh yes very supportive after the surgery.they were scared for me that i might die during surgery. my brother was the most supportive i thank god i have such a caring brother. love him.

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

wow!! she thought i was nuts and should not have it, she even tried talking me out of it. said i was ruining my life. i was out three weeks. now my boss sees the loss sees me and she is very supportive.

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

bring essentials shampoo toothbrush toothpaste brush deodrant 1 chng loose clothes t shirt shorts. most of the staff was nice except one nurse from hell. she was mean to me never helped pushed me away when i needed help drove me to tears, it was bad i prayed to god please let me go home 5 days in the hospital about drove me nuts. great view of the dallas skyline kept my sanity.

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

No not really i do Dump once in awhile something doesnt sit right with me its not that bad.I've always heard horror stories of dumping, well its not pleasant but, it isnt no where bad as some people make it out to be.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

keep busy family work outings ect.. its hard playing the waiting game but well worth the wait.

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

very sore hug a pillow when you cough or sneeze that pillow will be your best friend . each day gets better and better really it does.

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

i still travel a three hour drive each way for post op checkups in dallas texas.wher i had my surgery.

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.

wow. first two weeks nothing but liquids, jello protein drinks, broth,strained soups.water juice diluted half water half juice, then 3rd week through six soft solids oatmeal crackers soups strained no chunks rule.after six weeks then i was onto solids it is still a learning experience what i can tolerate and what i cannot eggs toast bacon salads i eat alot, cheese low fat high protein and low or no sugar splenda is a wonderful thing.

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

i walked two hours my first day out of the hospital however i dont recommend overdoing it but I think that walking is the one thing that makes you feel good when you feel sick go walk it gets rid of that sick feeling push yourself make yourself get up and move. its worth it just do it.

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

I now take a childrens vitamin daily and a sublingual B multi complex vitamin. never forget your vitamins i have long strong fingernails now i used to bite my nails now they look great, vitamins are good.

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 lose very little hair, i still dump but i am ok all in all id say its just a wait and see what food i can tolerate and what foods i cannot.

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

The NG tube and Iv and throat tube after surgery. i woke up to early and remeber it. once i left the hospital i was ok then.

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

well I am not in a support group i live out in the country and there are no support groups, i have a close by next town she had her surgery one week before me we e-mail each other and we support one another, we made that comitment along time ago she is great and people on wls website chatrooms are great. its all the support i need.

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

No the scar is bigger than i expected but its will lighten up with time i have no regrets. i look at it this way i was scarring my body by being overweight this is nothing compared to what years of bad choices has don to me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i hit a plateu 3 weekis post op i didnt lose anything for 2 weeks, then i started walking more and it helped.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes oh yes i get stares quite a bit now and evrywhere i go i used to model years ago so it feels good to get that attention it makes you feel alive again.