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

I had a sister in law by marriage who had thw older type surgery done. Just the stapling. She almost died. They stapled her spleen in the process and did not know this and she started to hemorriage. I was scared to have the surgery then. Then a friend of a friend had the new procedure done(open rny)and he died four days later.This was about Four years ago. I knew I would never do the surgery, fear was to great.

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

I had no trouble getting the insurance to approve this surgery. I knew with in two weeks they had approved!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew I would die without it. And I decided not to let fear of the unknown rule my life. I knew I wanted to live. And live a full life.I knew I had to change my life to be happy. I knew the weight had to go. And I knew that I could not do it on my own. I needed to surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Thouburn and I went over both options vbg or rny. I decided If I was going to go through this I might as well do the surgery that I felt and he felt were most succesful. I did not want to back for a revision years later.

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?

My fear was so great that in pre op I could not stop crying. I just knew I was going to die. I was so scared ,I could not control myself. I had all but written a statement for my funeral. But I knew I had no quality of life as I was. I decided to trust in God and find a very good surgeon, one who has done this surgery many, many times. And know that after you have done all you could do, Trust God!

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 was very supportive. They knew I had fought the battle of obesity all my life. And after the surgery they kept telling me , you did a good thing. Be patient, and kind to your self.

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

I am self employed. I own a beauty salon. I am a manicurist. I only took of 11 days off from work for the surgery .

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

it is about 10 inches long and ugly. But it is what I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not lost any weight now for about 3 weeks. I am scared this will not go any farther. I pray I am wrong.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet still pretty large.