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

The first time i ever heard about the surgery was when i seen a news caster on tv show the world his own tape of his surgery. when i seen the show i started looking into the surgery and went and asked my doctor about it. Yes the doctor his self was skeptical but when he seen that i was serious about getting it he told me to check things out and i did.

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

Really with my husbands insurance i had a really good experience. For i went to the doctor he wrote me up a medical nessity paper and i went right throuh from there. Which i though was really great.

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

The first time i met with my doctor i had alot of questions which he was very propt to answer. And they do tell you just like it is. if you don't listen to what they have to say there is know reason to go through with the operation cause it won't help you

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

In march of 2003 i had went to my doctors because i was feeling really tired. had no self asttem what's so ever. didn't want to even get out of bed. it hurt me to walk. couldn't get out and do things with my kids or my husband. But when the doctor told me i had 6months to a year to have a heart attack it really scared me and i knew i had to do something. I didn't want to die

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor set this meeting up with the weight doctor and i went from there

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?

At first i was scared. then i was told about the web site and i went on everyday. it was inspiring to see what everyone else had to say and the weight they had lost. the site really helped me alot. But the most fear i had was not being here for my husband and kids. but having no choice it was either the surgery or my family walking in and finding me dead. and i didn't want that.

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 has been so supportive. my doctor told my family if i didn't do this what could happen. Yes they were scared for me. but being a strong willed person things came out alright. Accually they were more scared then i was.

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

wasn't working at the time for being sick

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

My hospital stay was short. the people was very careing and understanding. i only had to stay in the hospital 4days went in on a friday morning and was home monday afternoon. things i took that helped me was chapstick. a belly pillow.

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

NO! Didn't have no complication's knock on wood still don't i get sick to my stomach alittle. but nothing to really worry about.

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 couldn't wait to have it. I knew it was time for me to be thin. I stayed excited. the whole time,even the day of the surgery

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

well right now it's been 2 weeks. I was up and doing things in my home the next day i came home from the hospital. but that's just me i don't like to be held down for anything. always been like that

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

about 15 minutes away from my home

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.

Couldn't have soft drinks which that didn't bother me. Fried chicken now that bothered me. I love it. but have delt with not having it. Any food with alot of sugar was off limits.

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

Had energy i'd forgotten i had

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

Bugs bunny chewables and Vitimain B 12 liquid. protien drinks

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?

Have not had any side effects at this time

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

The hospital beds they were very uncomfortable. The tube that went in your nose.

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

None right now except the web site.

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

My scar isn't very noticeable to me. I expected something really ugly and noticeable but it's not

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yea my mother.