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

I have done research about this years ago when people were having the stomach stapling done, and I have watch it improve thru the years.

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

I did not have a problem getting insurance approval for my surgery, my insurance is United Health.

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

I was nervous, but the people in his office were very nice. I had already did research before the meeting so I new what to expect.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Like I said previously, had already did research and I was at my top weight of 324 pounds and I new I had to do something for myself.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted to have a surgery that I thought would allow me to lose weight permantely, so I choose the open rny(gastric bypass).

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 trust God to be there for me when ever I need him so fear is not an option.

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 mother was totally against the idea of having surgery for weight loss, but after she notice that I was determined to do it she jumped on the band wagon to support me. My children ages 22, 21, have heard me talking about wanting to have this done for years so they were very excited for me.

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

My employer was great, I received 6weeks off with pay.

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

My stay in the hospital was was ok. I was there for 4 days, I had a bad allergy/asthma attack, and had to receive treatment for that but over all it was fine. I had to drink that colon cleaning stuff, and need a depend after surgery other than that, a toothbrush and toothpaste is all I really needed.

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

No, I had no complications from the surgery.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

In the weeks after my surgery, I felt weak for about 5days, I was in a little pain trying to get into and out of bed, but the pain meds worked great.

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

I was very weak for about 5days, then my energy level started to improve day by day. As far as eating is concern I ate very little, broth, popsicles, water, juice, for about 2weeks, then soft foods. I only had I episode of dumping that was because I tried to ead a bar-be-qued chicken leg about 3 1/2 weeks after my surgery and that was not fun.

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

I live in Fort Worth, TX, my surgery was in Dallas, TX about 30miles.

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.

I was told by my doctor to eat liquids for about 3 weeks, after that he said he what ever you want, but I would stay away from bread, rice, and refined sugar for awhile.

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

Very little the first couple of weeks, then I started walking, and increased from there to activies at the health club.

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

none, I tried to take chewable vitimins, but they made me sick, so I did'nt take anymore.

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?

I only experience nausia if I eat the wrong thing, vomiting very little at this point

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

I think the worst part is the scar.

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

None

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

My scar is not at all what I expected it was not done correctly so it healed thick, I was told it keloid, but I have never had this problem before and I have had surgery before, I am going to go to a plastic surgeon when I have my tummy tuck and ck with him to see if it can be repaired better.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I experience plateaus about every 30-35 lbs for about 2wks, then off comes more weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice people now are asking me if I'm losing weight or something have I been on some type of diet.