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

My aunt had GBS several years ago. I have always loved my Aunt Alice. She was always very overweight. When she became disabled due to her weight she had GBS done. She is doing great now.

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

For me approval is so hard to get. It is humbeling to go and "beg" for your life. My advice is to never give up. Continue to pray and rely on God for your needs including surgery. It will come in His time not mine.

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

Well my first visit was 10 minutes before gallbaldder surgery in the OR. Very interesting. I have been back to Dr Scott due to a herina that he has to repair. I love the man. He understands the issues that the MO person faces each day not only with their health but in daily life.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Short and sweet, I don't want to die. Don't get me wrong I have no problem living in heaven forever, but I would like to stick around here for several more years.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Just by talking to several people. My Aunt had GBS and worked well for her. She is a RN and I trust her.

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 have so many health complications now, I am willing to take the risk. I am not worried about dying. When the good Lord is ready for me it won't matter where I am he will take me home.

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 supports my decision. My husband is worried about me not making it through surgery, but I continue to assure him all is well.

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

Well I would like to say they were supportive. If they were they would have gotten insurance that covered GBS but they were not willing to pay out the extra money for the coverage. With me having the hernia and the doctor saying that without weightloss the hernia will return they are very aggreable on me having WLS so I am not out for a second hernia repair later on.

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

I was in the hospital for 7 days. The important things to bring are something for your lips & pillows for comfort

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

Yes but only due to a hernia being repared at the same time. I delt with them by hitting the morphin button often.

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 soooooo excited i coped by reading everything I could on the sugery.

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

I was uncomfortable and spent many hours watching TV or sleeping. You don't want to move around a lot but it is the best thing for you. I got to where I looked forward to my walks when my husband got home from work. Being cooped up all day was a drag.

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

It was about an hour and half drive. The ride home took forever.

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?

Hair loss was my big thing. My hair dresser was about to go mad with the hand fulls of hair I lost. Other than that I was ok. I knew it was a temp thing so I didn't let it bother me to much.

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

Getting approved.

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

No support group. I have done it on my own.

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

Big and nasty, but that is ok.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't lost anything in the past year. It sucks but I only have 20 lbs to goal. I can't complain to much.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, and I hate that.