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

I went to my doctor in tears asking for help so he gave me a referal to see Dr Drinkwater.

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

I had asked other people for a format of the letter that I had to type up.I will say that I really didnt have to do much.Jen the angel covered everything.Without her this surgery would not have been possiable

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

My first meeting was very rough.I am a recovering herion addict.I almost have 5 years of sobriety.Dr Drinkwater looked at me and said that I will never be a poster child for gastric bypass and that I would be last on the list to have the surgery.I really wanted to say ***** ***,However I didnt I did everything by the book and did whatever I was told to do.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to live and see my kids grow up.I have a beautiful husband who loved me at 355lbs.He would tell me how beautiful I am.now that I weigh 138lbs he still tells me everyday how beautiful I am.What an amazing man I have.I am truely blessed.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted lap.I asked Dr Dr inkwater and he said that I would be fine with that.

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?

Fear of the unknown is very scary.It is a personal choice that someone has to make alone.The harded thing was making a living will the night before my surgery.Either way it was not in my hands it was the power greater than me on how it would go.

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 had concerns ,but we all did.It was either surgery or eat my life away.They all seemed to be very supporting and with much fear.

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

I was only out of work for 2 weeks.I am a workahloic.I just coulded really lift alot.So I stayed on light duty untill I started feeling better.

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

The hospital staff is awesome.As for bringing anything you dont really feel like doing much of anything.However it is very important to get up and walk around asap.

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

well,I still cant eat ckn.go figure that was my favorite.I cant have a glass of anything with my meals.which is very hard.Trme I pay for it for hours after.I really dont do sweets anymore but that is my own pursonal choice didnt have this surgery to be fat again.I eat alot of salads,also zone bars.It was also very hard not to drink and eat at the same time.

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 slowly did more and more each day.You really dont feel bad just a little bit sore.I actually had to go to a Dr to be put on meds for the depresstion and anxiety.

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

take it slow this isnt a race.rest as much as you can.I was very lucky my mom was here for a week to take over .

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

about 3 miles if that

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.

well I ate sugar free pops,protien drings,jello(yuck)I think that I had eggs and yogert like 2 ounces

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

Each day I tried to do a bit more and more.Dont just lay there get up and get moving.Your recovery is totally up to one person YOU!!!!

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

b12,flinstone daily

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 had all of the above you take the good with the bad.You just take it one day at a time.the hair los I would like to do without but,there really isnt much that I can do about that

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

having the Dr take the tube out of my stomach (ouch)also trying to eat and understand when Im full.I still have the I dont know when Im full fealing so I just dont let myself get to that point.

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

I had all of my family also the support groups are awesome.You are in a meeting with people that under stand how you feel,It also helps to get phone numbers of people in the groups

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

I cant even really see them at all.I can now see the scares and it really isnt bad because I had lap

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

major depression and anxiety,also back problems.Ok I still have really bad depression and anxiety.I am working with a counseer for thateven still.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes and it is really hard to ajust to that.However if I wasnt good enough to talk to at 355lbs.Than really dont waste your time talking to me now because I have no prplem walking away....Very shallow gerks.