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

I'm a nurse, kinda knew about it, but that was for BIG people, not me. See I couldn't admit to myself that I was fat. I was involved in aTOPS chat group a short time, but all these folks did was ask,When did you realize you were fat? Well I not that "fat",I'm abit overweight,I've since learned a lot, and when my health started going downhill, it made me realize surgery was a chance for a new start. So I began to get informed. had a friend tell me all about her new lease on life, wls. I want to be well informed, and to help others.

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

Our insurance provider has been great, we have Tricare Prime military insurance and all referrals have been approved within weeks no questions asked.But for other companies I would advise poeple to just keep calling and writting.

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

My first visit with the surgeon was a great experience, this man was so kind and thoughtful. And I had read all material I could to be well informed about the proceedure.Have a list of questions to ask, and most important, ask about his ability, ask about his success and failures, ask about his education. After all this is your life not a text book!!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After reading the pros and con of the two proceedures available to me I decided on Rny open. Its the best for me over the long run and with less complication.

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 all the fears about all the possibilities of dying that anyone has, but I prayed and talked with my Pastor and was ready in my mind and heart that I was making the right decision, my health and future and family were my first and formost thoughts.

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 friends and family were on the most part supportive,my sister- law was very mush against it but she is against anything that involves change, she is a very unhappy person.My children had the usual fears but were with me on any decision I made. My husband was with me all the way and has been there through everything, I could't sak for a better support group than what I've got. They are all very supportive after the surgery and amazed at the results.

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

I belong to a support group that meets monthl this has been good I've met very nice people and its good to discuss one anothers little obsticles that arise and to see how far each one has come.

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

The scar is nothing and I really don't understand why poeple ask that question, its long but hardly noticeable and who the heck cares I'm not going to go streeking any place!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Yes we all have plateaus, this is only natural as the body adjusts to each phase of weight loss. But the thing to do is find out what you might be doing that may be wrong for you. I hit 2 plateaus, and called my diatary dept at the hospital, we changed the diet according to my weight and nutrition requirements at each plateau, also I met with my exercisr trainer to see how we could redo the exercise routine. So a lot of your success is really up to eachperson and how hard you want to work at the final out come!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, i;m just a regular person now, that awful weight is no longer a great barrier to deal with and I really have more confidence in myself.Which allows people to know me better.