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

From the first timeI heard about it I was interested. I thought it was an awesome oppourtunity.

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

I have insurance through my stepfather who is in the military so it was fairly easy. All I had to do is meet the requirements and I did! We had one problem but it was something in the insurance companies computer and only took one day to fix. I am very lucky, I think!

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

It was very infomative and the surgeon was AWESOME! The best adviceI can give about this is DO NOT be afraid to ask as many questions as you want even if you think they are dumb. This is your time to learn about it and you have one of the best teachers right in front of you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I prayed long and hard about the whole thing and knew that this was something that I needed to do for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had the basic "stomach stapling".

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?

To be totattly honest I was very confident about my descion. I was a little worried about the pain afterwards but I had some really good meds so it was alright. I did also worry about the pain after I got home but it really wasn't that painful.

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?

Everyone was very supportive of me both before and even more now after the surgery. If they had not been I think I still would have done it because I knew it was the best thing for me to do.

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

My employer and co-workers were all very supportive of me. I was only out of work for about 2 weeks.

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

The saty in the hospital was not as bad as I thought it would be. I thougt I was gonna be in pain and stuff but I was not at all, very tired but no pain. I actually go to go home a day early, I was onyl there for 2 and a half days. Make sure to bring lip balm (no Petrolium products, try Soft Lips...I swear by it now. ) Gum if your doctor allows it. A toothbrush, lotion, comfy house shoes. Lots of company!

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

I did not have any complications from the surgery itself but while the surgery was being done they found a grapefruit-sized cyst on my right ovary. So they took my right ovary and fallopian tube.

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 estatic when I found out my surgery date. It was a really great day in my life and I just so happened to have a few people at my house that were very special to me so it made it that much better that i got to hear the news with all of those people there. i was not nervous or even sacred, just VERY ready.

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

The first week after surgery I thought I was gonna die but I do have to admit that I am a bit of a drama queen. I did get depressed to where I just wanted to ball for no reason but the doctor told it was perfectly normal and that if I needed to cry then just let it go.

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

I live in the same town so it was only a matter of driving a few minutes.

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

The night after my surgery I was up and walking the halls of the hospital. My best advice about this is no matter how tired or drained you feel get up and walk. You might be scared but it really is not painful at all.

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

For the first month after I took chilrens multi-vitamin (Flinstones), and then began taking Prenatal vitamins. Calcium (tums) three times a day. B-12 and a protien suppliment.

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

Dr. Warnock's patients have and excellent support group that meets the first Saturday of every month.

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

My scar begins right underneath my bra line in the center of my chest to the bottom of the left side of my belly button. It heald very well and I have noticed that it has begun to fade.