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

I first found out in 1997 from the television and I thought to myself I want to find a way to have the surgery so I can have my life back.

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

I HAD TO HAVE THE INSURANCE FOR 1 YEAR FIRST DUE TO PRE EXISTING CLAUSE.THEY GAVE ME A PRE APPROVAL FOR MY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH THEM.AND I HAD NO PROBLEMS AFTER THE 1 YEAR.

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

I thought he was a little to negative about the surgery and a bit morbid.I would suggest to go to him very strong and confident you want the surgery and have all questions for him written down.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided after not being able to loose weight on my own anymore and my health and energy getting worse and worse.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided to have open rny because I figured if something went wrong if I had lap they would have to open me anyway.

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?

I wass very scared and almost felt guilty before I went to the hospital I felt if anything were to go wrong I chose to have this surgery and I felt bad about leaving my children and husband. Then I qucickly would be positive about it and realized I was not living now and it is a small chance something coulsd happen to me,and a bigger chance something will happen to me being the weight I was.

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?

They were all pretty positive about it at first my husband and my son were a little scared for me to have the surgery,but they soon became supportive.I just let them read alot about it and showed them positive things about it.

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

I am a stay at home mom.

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

My stay in the hospital was vert dramatic I was suppose to have surgery on 8/08/03 but was prepped for surgery wheeled into the room put out woke up and I was told by my surgeon he aborted the surgery,I was still very groggy but aked him why and he said because I had very bad cirhosis of my liver and he told me he took a biopsy and I have to wait for the results..He came into my room about 2 days later and told me it was cirhosis he asked me if I took alot of tylenol I told him no he knew I dont drink so he said it was probably fatty liver that caused the cirhosis he told my family and I that he will do the surgery because loosing the weight should help but I had to decide because he said it was more risky.He also told me I needed a transplant soon and I need to see a liver specialist.Anyway I decided to have the surgery and on 8/12/03 I did all went well and I stood in the hospital 1 full week all together.I was just very very thirst and even though I brought chapstick it didnt help..They provide everyhing really I was happy to have my own slippers..

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

I have had just a stricture but was dialated now I am fine.

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 high as a kite, But then very scared. But in my head I would say 3 months from now I will feel like a new person and I do.

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

I felt very helpless and a little scared when I was alone I was in a little pain,but the pain pills helped alot I was o.k. though and prayed alot..

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

I traveled about 1 hour and a half, My parents helped with watching my children.

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

When I first came home from the hospital I had alot of support from my husband dad mom and sister.It was very important I really thought they werent going to be there so much for me because it was a chosen surgery but they were and we bacame closer but now it is a little distant again with my dad mom and sister,But alot he became very cold and a little mean towards me I was told to expect that but I never thought it would really happen,after talking and talking things are finally back to normal between us now.

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

My scare is very ugly I do not like it at all but I am willing to have it and each time I want to eat something i should not I look at it and realize what I had to go through and put my body through and it helps me alot.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have plateaus 1 time a month but it doent make me worry because I know it is nornal and the scale will move lower again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice I am attractive to men again I notice them staring more I was feeling invisible when I was over 300 pounds.But I know I walk with more confidence now and I am more outgoing.I do notice men and women both recognizing me again and talking to me more.