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

My son's bus driver had it done and she looked amazing and she was sooo healthy and i thought i wanted that back. I didn't think it was wrong for anyone to get it and that included me, if it saved your life in the long run it was worth it, i knew the risk and i had a 50/50% chance of living or dying of surgery or being morphid obese.

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

Don't give up, it was easy for me i got approved the first time, but i had alot wrong with me for only being 33 years old. But keep pushing insurance and get the right family doctor who will work with u too get the surgery. My family doctor was awsome and supported me in my decision.

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

It was nerve racking, I'm not going to lie, i was use to only seeing my family doctor, and so to see someone else made it a little nerves for me, but as soon as i walked into the office and see staff smiling and how friendly and clean the office was, i knew i was going to be ok, My surgeon i met was very impressive and educated, he did not sugar coat anything, He was strict and came out and said i will not do surgery if u don't do your part and i completely loved him for that. the most u can get out of the first visit, is don't be scared to ask the questions u want whether embrassing or not, they all need an answer to help u.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was not healthy i would not see my 40th birthday and i was tired of not being able to move and play with my kids, i seen them suffering they needed both parents. I did if for me and my family.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

When i seen my son's bus driver and she told me what she had i knew then that was my goal.

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?

dying on the surgery table or after. Don't be scare to take the risk it pays off in the end.

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 scared for their lives for me. They didn't want to lose me but like i told them u are going to lose me if i stay obese. And it was true.I would have not communicated anything different they understood my decision and supported it, they were just scared. My friends and family were extremely supportive, u need that the most.

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

I'm an at-home-mom

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I was very glad i got to see people who went through it and looked so healthy and great, and i got to be with people who were going to experience what i was getting ready to go through, It's great to have those meetings.

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

I was amazing, i was sore, but i got up and did everything i was asked to do, so i would not get clots. My stay was 4 days,it was tough i sooo wanted to go home to be with my family i missed them dearly. And the important thing my family did for me was brought a picture of what i looked like before i had ever gained weight to show me what i had to look forward to. And something to read cause u can go crazy with boredom i don't watch much television so reading helped me alot.

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

Not major problems, the only thing was i had a small infection when i got home from a drain tube but it was after visiting the dr. and telling me its ok that was icing on the cake, but if u do what is ask after going home u will be 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 great, i was losing weight and i was able to get around a little easier, and i had family and great friends to help me cope with saddness of not having food, cause u will go through that stage of not being able to have the normal foods u had.

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

It was hard, and u are real tender from surgery, but like birth u forget it was ever that sore. It was emotional,but i knew in time that would pass,but the weight was dropping fast and people who saw me and knew who i was, was amazed, but i heard people tell me they heard other says it was wrong for me to have surgery it was cheating, but they didn't relize the hard work u have to put in it, it's a tool not a permenant solution, now they understand cause i told them to their face, u have to be cause u will have alot of that, and be proud that u did the surgery.

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

about 45 minutes away from my home.

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.

It was a liquid diet so u could only have broth,water is a must,crystal light,sugar free koolaid,no sugar added popsicles,pudding,jello and really about it for the fist 6 weeks,U are not allowed sugar in your diet at all, u will be sick. when u are able to finally eat solid breads are hard so u have to keep introducing things if they don't agree at the time, meat is another one that was hard for awhile, but after about 6 months things were way easier still not allowed to have any kind of sugar in your diet not in the first three indregients can there be sugar, that includes corn syrup,sugar cane,maple sugar,brown sugar those are some examples. I love the fact i love healthy food now.

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

alot of walking, it was slow at first and baby steps cause u are sore from surgery very tender then weeks went by and i could up my walking at a faster pace and then came working out at the gym when i got the go ahead and that was a great feeling, so much energy....loved it

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

I take iron,children chewable multivitamins,calium,and B-12 those a must for the rest of your life to keep from getting sick.

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?

Mine, was i had to much energy and could not sleep, also i had always had thick pretty curly hair and i now have think course hair,and when i didnt chew slow enough and long enough things would get stuck and i would vomit. those were for about 6 months, and i coped as longs as it was happening, its just temp.

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

Nothing im glad i went through everything i did, the emotional rollercoast as well.

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

I had my family and friends for aftercare support and the support meetings are a great tool. These are very important.

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

I have 5 little scars, and u can't tell they are there now, they have faded a great deal, I expected alot worse really and the scars look amazing.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had many, at my first one i was emotional i didnt understand why me, and i knew from the nurses and doctors it would happen but i didn't want it to happen to me but they only last awhile,it can be from just stress or not eating enough or to much, or not working out more. but it does happen to everyone.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, and it's a good feeling