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

My sisters suggested it to me. I was crushed, I didn't think I was that big.

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

Just be patient because there will a wait. List all possible problems, even if they're just acute.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew that to loose that much weight might never be possible without the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Easy, less pain?-laproscopic

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?

The possibility of getting my life back was a bigger priority.

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 supportive, because they wanted me to be able to "live" again.

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

They were supportive, because I had the surgery during the summer. i am a teacher and it made more sense to do it that way. They are also my biggest fans. I can not get complimented enough!

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

I stayed three days. My abdomin was in alot of pain and I was very thirsty. My period came on and I needed my own paraphanilia.

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 just couldn't wait!

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

Pain and sleep. Don't overeat. It's hard and tempting but it will be painful. The depression might set in, get some help. Pray that God will deliver you and that you may see this as a blessing. (Because it is!)

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

I increasingly became more energetic and active.

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

One-a-day

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

The next day when I was thirsty. They said I could have no liquids until I had the ab x-ray. The orderly made me get off of my bed and struggle to climb up to a taller roll-away bed. I asked him for a stool or something and he was not helpful. I had to somehow pull myself up after just having been cut in my abdomin. That area controls every motion you make(as I found out). It was so horrid that I got a headache and could not take anything for it until the doctor saw me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

By the end of October, I had been losing 5 pounds a week. I had gone down from a 28 to an 18W. I was so proud and excited. All of a sudden, I stopped and stayed there until February 13th. I started jogging, hopeing to kickstart the lose again, but I had been jogging for 4-5 weeks before I started seeing any type of weight lose. I am glad now because I can wear a 16, but I was depressed and started thinking that this was it for me. Maybe I was one of those people that this surgery didn't help. I now just think that it is your body trying to catch up with the loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yeah, they can't say enough about the change in my personality and style. I am more outgoing and love clothes.