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

I seen Roseanne when she had Dr. Fobi on her show. My first response was tell me more. I started searching the web for everything I could find on the subject and talked to 100's of people who have had this done.

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

I was a self pay I went out of the country to have mine done in Mexico

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

I didn't meet with my surgeon until the day before surgery, we talked on the phone and E-mailed each other quite often. I new everything I needed to know about the Operation and the surgeon I was going to before I went. I had done a lot of reading on the subject and the Dr.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I finally got all the answers to my questions I just said ok now is the time and my mother was behind me 100%. I called the Dr. and set up an appointment for 3 weeks later.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I weighed all the pros and cons and decided I didn't want my intestines rearranged and I do have some self control, I also wanted somthing completly reversable so I picked the Laparoscopic Adjustable Band by Bio-Entrics which isn't approved here in the states just yet.

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 just had a hysterectomy 1 year earlier so I new what was going to happen. I think blood clots are the most dangerous thing that could happen to you of all the people I have heard of dying from this procedure it was due to blood clots so you just take your chances you don't get a blood clot get out of bed as soon as possible. I took a shower the night of my operation so I was up and moving around immediatly.

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 was behind me 100%. The few who wearn't I just stayed away from and didn't talk to about the surgery. I kept all negative thoughts away from me.

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

I had my surgery done in Monterrey Mexico because the surgery I wanted done is not being done in the United States yet they are testing it here but it hasn't been approved just yet. This is the Laparoscopic Adjustable Band. I was only in the hospital 1 day and then I went home. The stay was very comfortable, my husband was allowed to stay in the hospital with me which was nice. I didn't bring anything but what I was wearing which was a sack dress.

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

no complications

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 just kept talking to the people on the web and reading how well they where doing, telling all my friends and family about what I was going to do helped.

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

I went into a depression which I was ready for everytime I have had surgery I go into a depression for a few days then I am ok. I also asked my self why I did this to myself, but after a couple of weeks and some lost pounds I new why I did this, to get thin. I am very happy I have had this operation done.

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

I traveled into Mexico we drove and it took about 3hrs. I really haven't had any after care I keep in touch with the Dr. every week and he comes up this way sometimes and we meet and talk and he preforms my fills for me just across the border at a real nice clinic there. I haven't told the Dr. I go to here yet so I don't know how that will go.

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 on a liquid diet for 2 weeks and then mushy foods for 2 weeks and now I can eat anything I like except in a lot less quanity less then half of what I use to eat. I do haft to chew chew chew but that's ok it slows your eating down.

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

I really haven't started exercising yet I am still a couch potato when I was younger I went went and went but I am slowing down a bit I think when I get some of the weight off then I'll have more energy to get out and go again.

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

I have had to change from my regular vitamins I use to take. I now take chewables multi vitamin chewable pain pills or very small pills. I can eat any kind of foods so I am still getting my vitamins.

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?

Actually I had a hyatus hernia before the operation and while the Dr. was in there he fixed it and I have been with out that pain since my operation so I got a 2 in 1 operation I have had no side effects.

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

I have a on line support group called the bandsters which is very helpful we all go through the same things and ups and downs and we are there to build each other up. I think some kind of support group is very important.

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

I had Laparoscopic surgery I have 5 little incisions that's all and I had no suituors or stapels placed, just tape and they all healed just fine.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't experienced this yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no besides saying I see the weight coming off you.