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

I first found out about the Bariatric surgery through my Sister she had her surgery done and came out ok and now shes like a whole new person and she feels good about herself. Then My Brother-in-law had his surgery done. My Brother had his surgery done too then after that my Sister-in-law had hers done. So now its my Turn for a new journey!

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

Well i do have to say Blue Cross Blue Shield is really Good and quick once the information is received from the Doctor.

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

I have to Say Meeting with Dr. Monson i was neverous at first but then after he went over everything i needed to know throughly i was very impressed with him and his staff.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Well after all the struggling and seeing how happy my family memebers who have done the surgery. I decided its about time i do something about it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Well i spoke with my main doctor and we had a long conversation about the two types and i strongly put my opininon out there that i wanted the LAP and that was the only way i was going to have it done. Yes i can be stubborn at times.

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 look at like this I have a better chance of having the surgery and praying all is going to go well verses if i dont have it with my weight problem whats to say the rest of body wont give out cause i am overweight.

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, Friends and co-workers are very supportive and excited for me. I know when my Surgery date arrives i will be in all of there prayers.

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

My supervisor is very unique and very supportive. She is behind me all the way and knows this is whats for the better for me and my family. I told her the day i got my surgery date. I will be out of work for two weeks if things all go as scheduled.

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 very quiet and peaceful. I was there for 3 Days the Staff was very good! Bring Chapstick ~ lips do dry out when you cant have anything to eat or drink for awhile. Bring Camera ~ Take snap shots for Scrapbooking.

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

My Surgery went really good no complications til later when i got really sick due to the flu that was going around.

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 very excited about my surgery and counted the days down til it actually happened. I would always look at the WLS website at the before and after pictures thinking its actually going to happen to me.

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

When i got home it was strange at first i was still pretty groggy from the meds and all.RELAXING is the key and eating what the doctor sent home (the List). My sister would check on me from time to time to see if needed anything and how i was doing. My Family and Friends were very supportive!

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

Not Very far at all just to the other end of Town.

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 followed my doctors strict rules i was on a Liquid diet for a few weeks then when i had my checkups and everything was going fine i got to move to the next stage which was very exciting for me. Then moved on to soft foods (like babyfood)then just slowly moved up til i could eat real food again. sounds funny bit its true.

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

after my surgery i was not much of doing anything too big i did go for walks around the neighborhood and at the mall/stores.

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

B-12 and iron

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?

Well Losing Hair was a big thing but intime i managed! Vomiting was a big change cause you really dont do that its more of Spitting. and Now i dont even do that i have a Gag reflex a few times an thats over.

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

Having your stomache Stretched! cause when i was sick i couldnt keep anything down. So i had to have it stretched three times then from that point. Everything was on the up and up I am so pleased.

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

Support Groups were not around when i had my Surgery

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

My scar is very Tiny and not that noticeable. Yes its what i expected. I am very pleased.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had any at this time so far!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes Lots of compliments cause of my weight loss and also more people come up to me to just talk about anything.