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

I heard it from a lady's daughter whom I once worked with. She had just gotten it done, and then I seen another woman at a wedding and she had lost so much weight, that I ask her what kind of diet she was on, and she told me that she had this surgery. She told me all about it, and just kept running into people who knew people that had this done. It sounded like a dream come true for me. At first I was scared, and then I thought what the heck, this might be the only thing that will help me loose weight and keep it off. I have a girl friend that had stomach stapling 20 years ago, and she lost weight but she has gained it all back +. So until the doctor showed me that this is a different procedure, I wasn't going to consider it.

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

The first time I called them the insurance lady said they wouldn't cover it. I called the next day and talked with the head of union where insurance is through, actually left a message he was not in. He called at 8:30am the next day and wondered who told me this that it was covered, ask for Dr name,phone number and said he would give them a call. Went to Dr 2 days later and the nurse said he had fax them all the paper work and we were after a surgery date. My advice to people is just keep after them and go as high on the insurance ladder as you can yourself to get results. As of today nothing has been paid, now they say the surgery wasn't covered after all.

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

Very nice, he explained everything in great detail, drawed pictures of what he would do. He answered all my questions. Make you a list when you go visit you surgeon. That way you don't forget anything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Fear of being a reproduction of my mother. I look like my Mom, and every time for the last year I would look into the mirror and she would looking back at me. I had already started down the same old path way as her with the high blood pressure, diabetis, chlestrol, and several other things. And I just didn't want to do this if I had a choice to change it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

LapRny

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?

None!

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?

All was very supportive of the surgery. Before and after

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

I had surgery on a Thrusday and got home on the Sat. after. The stay in the hospital was as good as hospital stays could be, it wasn't bad at all. They performed all they had to do right when they said it would be done. Like the swallow test. Doctor said early Friday morning and it was done at 9:00am. When I got back to room I got my first glass of ice water and at noon I got my first full liquid meal.

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

The only surgery complication I had was coming out from the antisedtic and my oxgyen level was low. But they explained that because I had been a smoker that this sometimes happens in all surgeries.

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 never did feel anxious. I had prayed and prayed about it. It was like God telling me this is what I could do for myself to have a happier healthier life for the future. The weeks pryor to surgery I just really felt like he had his arms around me the whole time.

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

WE have a support group at the hospital that meets the last Wednesday of every month. I will attending the one this month for the first time.

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

Very small and not like I thought they would be at all. They are much smaller

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The first Dr. visit was 6 days after surgery. He took out the JP pump and told me that I didn't have to pack the incision any more, I could drive, took me off blood pressure meds, and I lost 16 lbs. It has been 5mo. and 1 week since my surgery I have lost 78lbs so far. I feel great and looking better all the time. LOL

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Everyone has been so supportive with me. People are noticing the difference and I am sure they will more as time goes on.