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

I HAD BEEN WANTING IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THEN I HAD AN EPISODE OF GERD THAT MADE ME THINK I WAS HAVING A HEART ATTACK. MY MOM DIED OF AN MI AT AGE44 MY DOCTOR THEN RECOMENDED IT BECAUSE IT WOULD PROLONG MY LIFE, AND I JUMPED ON THE BAND WAGON

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

NO PROBLEMS I WAS ACEPTED THOUGH KAISER ON MY FIRST REQUEST BUT IT TOOK A WHILE TO GET THE ANSWER

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

It was fast and a bit over whelming, i saw three doctors in one afternoon after flying down to san diego. but all my questions and fears were delt with

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I'VE TRIED EVERTHING TO LOSE WEIGHT, I SEE THIS SURGERY AS THE ONLY CHANCE I HAVE AT LIFE.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

TALKED WITH MY DOCTOR, A NUTRITIONALIST, AND THE PHYCOLOGIST

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. FEAR IS WHAT I'VE BEEN LIVING THIS IS THE MOST COURAGOUSE THING I HAVE EVER DONE, NO I HAVEN'T DONE IT YET, BUT I WORK IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, ON A SURGERY UNIT I HAVE A VERY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT THE TRANSITION WILL BE TERRIBLE, BUT I CHOOSE TO SEE IT AS ONLY A SHORT TUNNEL TO THE OTHER SIDE. AND SINCE GOD IS WITH ME WHAT SHOULD I FEAR.

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 FATHER THOUHGT IT TO EXTREAM, BUT ONCE I HAD MADE THE DECISION THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE IT DONE HE HAS SUPPORTED ME BEEN EXCITED FOR ME AND WILL BE THERE WHEN I HAVE THE SURGERY. OTHER FAMILY MEMBERSS ARE ALSO EXCITED AND WANT ALSO TO HAVE THE SURGERY, YES I COME FROM A LARGE FAMILY

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

HAVEN'T GONE THERE YET SINCE I DON'T HAVE A DATE

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

I stayed 3 nights in the hospital in scripps mercy in San Diego, on the 9th floor. There was an obesity bed that lifted me from a flat position to a sitting position. True God send. lol friendly wonderful nurses.

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

I had a fever 2 weeks postop, but it resolve it;s self after every medical test in the book. lol

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 was very fatigued for the first 4 weeks then suddenly at week 5 a huge burst of energy. I did have a crying spell about 6 weeks post op. when it hit me I had given up my best friend, namely food. I cried for about 20 minutes and then it hit me I was Free.=) I still have times when I want to snak and have cravings, I Can stop my self from snaking but when I crave something I eat just that even if I know I'm gonna dump. usually after 1-2 bites my craving is fullfilled, or I"ve gotten sick and just don't want it anymore anyway.

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

the first 3 months post op I felt I did need support. I made weekly appt, with the therapist I saw preop. I felt like I needed someone for awhile. After that Friends and family were enough support for me. I also found that not everyone was capable of being supportive.

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

I have the best scar I have ever seen No Keloids Looks like Just another stretch mark lol And I had an open surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had many platues. They are tuff, I really beat my self up when I hit them one lasted a whole month I thought I had failed but that was 30 llbs ago.=)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

sometimes.