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

I read a lot I also began to hear TV commentarors talking about it. Carney Philips was my inspiration. Immediately I began to believe that the surgery was for me. I spoke to my primary and she agreed and assured me that she would do all that she could to support me in having the surgery.

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

Insurance approval was never an issue for me.

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

Every potential candidate need to have a primary and surgeon like I have.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Carney Philip's story

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

That was not a decision, I was so ignorant about those things I entrusted that to my surgeon.

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?

Those fears were not mine. I have faith in God and entrusted the outcome to him.

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 children were supportive and confideant that If this was what I wanted then they wanted it for me. My mother came to Boston from S. C. to care for me. I have a loveing family.

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

Their reaction was one of acceptance. I told them of my surgery plans. I was out of work 6 weeks not because of any complications but just to take it easy and not rush anything. After all I am 55 years old.

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

The day after surgery and iafter recovery, I do not remember much. The Faulkner staff was great, nurses doctors and other workers. The were short staffed. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I did not bring anything. I believe that will be your personal preference.

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

A few days after being home I became dehydrated, went to the doctorm was given an intravenous for a day and felt better afterward

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 remained greatful and prayerful that it was jappening. My outlook was positive.

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

My family has been most supportive and then the surgeon has a support group that meet monthly. I have attended but do not attend the group sessions, mainly due to overextended with time.

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

I cannot say that I expected anything in particular. However since you asked, it is a bit lon, wide and with a raised area.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Oh, that has been my most frustration with this process. I guess that I did not do my homework as thoroughly as some of the others on this site. I thought that once I decided to have the surgery and then in fact have it all my cares and woes would go away and I would sail into old age surely weighing less than 200 lbs. for the first time in my adult life. DID NOT/HAS NOT HAPPENED and have also been hit with a rude awakeness that I have to continue to diet and be mindful of what i eat. That I have only lost 135 lbs. as of may 1 1 year post-op strted at 343 weigh 208 and have been 208 for 5 months.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Lots and lots of compliments.