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

My pcp made the suggestion for surgery. I wanted it as soon as I had researched it after he mentioned it. He said it was life or death. The way I went in to it was thinking that no matter where I woke up, I had to be better off than where I was. I was not nervous about surgery after this revelation lol. I prayed a lot and was prepared so by surgery morning I was calm and relaxed about it.

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

I had no problems. The approved within a few days of the request.

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

I went with a list of questions written down so I didnt forget to ask anything I had thought of. I researched online and knew what to ask. I recommend you know a bit so you can be able to make an intelligent decision about it after you have answers to your questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I want to have a life. I dont want to exist anymore. If I cant have a life, why live?? My quality of life will be so much better and my health will allow me to get up and do what I want.

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

Being only 5' tall, the bariatric bed was hard to get in and out of but was comfortable once I was in it. IT can be slippery so be very careful!! Take non slip socks to keep from slipping.Lip gloss is good to take too. I never felt like puzzles or other entertainment. I was there from Monday to Friday.

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

Not really from surgery. I couldnt use my cpap and my oxygen saturation level dropped to 79 and the morphine put me too far under and they couldnt wake me up so I kind of scared them. They changed my pain med and gave me breathing treatments. Once the tube came out of my nose I could use my cpap and my saturation level was 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?

tired!! no anxiety. I felt a little better every day. The most uncomfortable part was the g-tube. Stitches etc were fine.

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

I belong to an online support group and go to the meetings at Vanderbilt when I can. I am coping very well with it all tho.

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

its a fine red line. Not as bad as I thought it would be. It is healing up nicely!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost 29 lbs very quickly then kind of plateaued for a week or two but the losses have resumed.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet. still pretty homebound till my 6 wks are up.