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

My friend, Michelle had the surgery and was very excited about her results. At first, I was alittle nervous because I did not want to die from the surgery. I thought and thought about "what if I didn't have the surgery"...I might die of OBESITY, I didn't want that to happen.

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

I got approved the first time. Cigna was great and so was my doctor's office in submitting the paperwork. My doctor is Dr. Titus Duncan.

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

It was great at the informational seminar. I took my husband with me and he also was excited. To take alot of notes and definitely ask questions if you have any.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt really good about the doctor that I had chosen. I felt that it was the right thing to do and that the doctor was concerned about his patients.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor

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?

The fears that I had concerned blood clots after the surgery. I would recommend that everyone walk as often as possible.

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 husband was against at first, until he came to the seminar. My parents were also against. I did not tell my friends. So far, my friends that know now, have been very supportive.

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

I have not told my employer about what type of surgery that I had. I was out of work for 6 weeks on short term disability and vacation time.

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

My hospital stay was great and I had really nice nurses. I was only in the hospital overnight. I brought my bible and bring some comfortable clothes to wear home.

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

No

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 felt great but I wished in my mind that I had lost 100 pounds in 2 weeks. Just joking....The anxiety that I felst was pure excitement over the weight that I did lose.

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

12 miles

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.

I did not like sweets. I still really don't care for the sweets. It upsets my stomach. On a weekly basis, I added soft foods such as grits and soft eggs. I still like the jello and toast and applesauce.

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

Just walking for about 5 weeks until I joined a gym

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

Herbalife Multivitamin and their Aminogen and protein shake.

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?

None

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

The waiting period for the surgery

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

Very small. yes.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet, it is too son