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

I found out like two years ago and I think if i remember well I said it was not for me I wanted the lap band and hey I got the right one for me cause I am happy

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

It was easy i have masshealth , health net and they aproved my right away

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

It was awesom he anserd everthing that I ask him and he let know the risk and the pros

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

well i kept getting bigger and bigger and more insulin and I hated it so thats when I said to my self that I wanted to be a healthy mom for my 3 girls

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

well lap band is good but is reversible and i wanted something long life wise cause i said to my self if i get something thats removable maybe one day i would wanet out and i dont wanna be fat again with the same problems

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 had no fear of going into the surgery because i had learnd about everthing about the surgery

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 saw that i was determind and they had my back

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

it was ok they say to me know that i look good and i say to my self I still have a lot to go but Iam on the way to a betterand heathier life

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

it was very plesant I had my surgery on mercy hospital and I had a room all by my self and that I really liked

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?

Ifelt a bit tired but other than that I felt a ok

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

if was okay a bit uncofterble but nothing to bad

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

not far at all it was right around my hood

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 cannot eat steak, hamburger, paste but i try something new evry day and something are ok but othres I cannot tolaret

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

it was good after the 1 week

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

I take 1 vatimin b12 ,2 vi-active caramel shews,and 2flinstones complete and that I have to take for life

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 yet i did get the dumping syndrome but it was only two times

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

the worst part was the 2stage i couden't deal with it so i didn't for 2 weeks more into I my stomach could handle it

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

i go tothe support grups in the weldon in mercy every 3rd tuesday of the month

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

I had the laproscopic so have 5 small scars and is okay

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet i loose like 3lbs every 2weeks it varies

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

well people come up to me know and tell me that I look better