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

I found out about bariatric surgery from the internet, and I thought that is great but it will never happen to me.

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

Medicaid paid for my surgery. I never in a million years thought they would but I was desperate and so I checked into it and well my dream came true. It didnt take them long to approve. If you meet the criteria then you qualify its as simple as that.

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

The first visit with my surgeon went ok. I think I was nervous and forgot to ask alot of questions. The best thing is to write them down before you go, then you can ask everything you wanted to.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired and depressed all of the time. I wanted a real life. one that I didnt have to be embarrased about going to amusement parks, or anywhere else. I have always been very self concious, and now I feel like a new woman

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Well I checked all of the drs that took medicaid and I would have loved to have had it lyproscopic, the only dr that took medicaid didnt do it that way so I settled for open.

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 fears like everyone else about dyeing. I got alot of pressure from family and friends to not have the surgery. They said how can you voluntarily have this surgery when you may never come home to see your kids. My answer to them was I wasnt really living, I was existing and that I didnt wont to live the rest of my life feeling and looking like I did. So it was worth the risk to me. The risk is really very small and so with God on my side I took the chance. I think that my life will be longer now. I am able to exercise and I feel terrific.

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 and friends with the exception of my best friend were all against it. My husband was against it and my mother in law wouldnt even let me stay at her house after surgery. They thought that I was being selfish for having the surgery when I could die under the knife. Since the surgery they have all changed their opinion and say I look great.

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

I didnt work

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

The nurses at the hospital were great. The pain meds were good. I stayed for 5 days because I ask to stay an extra day. We lived out of town and were going to have to get a hotel for a week anyway before I could get released to travel so I thought I would stay and keep getting good pain medication,lol...Really all you need to bring is a tooth brush, hairbrush, and underwear.

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

I had no complications at all. I did get a couple of kidney infections. Its very inportant that you drink as much water as you possibly can to prevent dehydration.

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 was estatic!!! I didnt really have anxiety I was just on a natural high. I knew my life was fixing to change and it felt awesome!!!

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

I live out of town from where I had the surgery. I havent went to any support groups but really wish there was one close by that I could visit. I think its very inportant.

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

My scar is about 6 inches long, its not that bad and it looks a whole lot better than the fat that was there before,lol...

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am at a plateau right now and have been for about three weeks. It is very frustrating but I know it will pass soon.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People definately treat me different. Men kind of tick me off. They are always hitting on me which in one way is flattering but last year they wouldnt have given me the time of day. My so called friends I guess feel a little threatned by me now, but thats ok because I can make new friends. I am blessed to have a great husband that loved me in spite of the weight. He loved me just as much when I weighed almost 300 pounds. He just says now that he feels like he is with a new woman everytime he comes home, he works out of town.