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

My PCP refered this to me 3 years before I decided to have it done. At first, I wanted no part of it. It scared me to death. Over time I realized that I need help with my weight and surgrey was a great option for me.

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

Everyone told me to be prepared to fight. I got mine approved on the first time. I was great.

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

Go in with your list of questions. I did. I did my research and was prepared to ask the questions I had or needed answers to.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My son. I am a single mother of a 3 year old son. I wanted to be here for him down the road. It was worth the risk.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went in for my first appointment knowing which proceedure that I wanted to have done. I just asked the surgeon if he thought that was a good option for me.

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?

Have faith in a higher power. I believe in God. I prayed a lot about this and knew that everything would be o.k. He took care of it and me.

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 tends to be negative about things so I was not looking forward to telling them. I was really amazed. They were so supportive. They just amazed me. I have the best family ever. They were there for me the whole way.

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

No, I did not tell my supervisor till after the surgery. I was really embrassed about having the surgery. I had a hard time admiting that I was "obese". What a word?

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

Roanoke Memorial was great. I was in the hospital for 3 days. Take magazines to read and your walking shoes.

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

Yes, I had an infection from the surgery. My surgeon, Dr. Long, was great. They were there for me the whole way.

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 only had a weeks notice. I really thought is would take longer. I didn't have time to think.

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

Due to my infection, it was hard. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great either. Just be honest with yourself about what you just went through.

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

It was about 30 miles away. It was not a problem.

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.

Weeks 1-4: Liquid only or pureed foods about a 1/4 cup at a time. Weeks 5-8: Soups and soft foods 1/4 cup at a time Weeks 8-10: I could start adding a new food one at a time. This is where I had problems. I still wanted to lose my self in food.

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

I really didn't start to excerise till I was about 2 months out. Then I started walking and still do.

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

Multi-vitamins, Calcuim, B-12 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 vomiting was the worst for me in the first few months. Now that I am 6 months out everything else is o.k. except for the hair loss. I am trying to keep up my protein so that should turn around soon.

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

That I waited as long as I did to have it done.

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

I attend a monthly support group. It is very important to me to have a support group. I need this for my emotional health.

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

Not bad at all. Just the one that got infected.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I feel that they see the real me for the first time.