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

I have a friend that use to go out with me. Hadn't seen her in years. One day at the clinic I walked by her, thinking I knew her from somewhere. When she finally talked to me, she ask if I remembered her from years ago. It was unreal! She was down from over 300 lbs and a size 28 dress to a slim size 14! Her face had chanced, her out look on life has changed. It was unreal. She had gotten re-married and was so happy. I talked to her and the more I did the happier she sounded. She has a great out look on life now and I thought I want that too. I want to be happy and do things with my new husband. He loves me as I am, but I want to be here for him later in life. I want my life back.........

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

Well, I have to say I didn't really have any problems with my insurance company. I was really lucky on the front

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

I was a little nervous, should have taken the time to write down my questions. The what happens after ones and what will I feel like or what willl my mind be telling me a few months down the road. He was great really, just jot down some questions when you go see him or her for the first time.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Kind of funny... a friend decided we should have this surgery... she backed out and mine just went on. Wondered a few times what was I doing and was it what I should do... until I saw another friend of mine who looked wonderful! That's when I knew I had to do something with my life or I wasn't going to make it to see any grandkids!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After talking with my friend who went before me it was easy. I wanted the one that would help me be a good eater. And stick with my new life. This one took away all sugar which is my one weakness... really bad weakness...

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?

Didn't really think about it. Knew I wouldn't be here to much longer if I didn't have this surgery, or have any joints that worked. I could hardly walk up stairs or down the street.

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?

Some were worried, but my husband and parents were beside me the whole way. They knew how much I needed this surgery and wanted it by now. I wanted a new lifestyle, one that would have me here longer and that's what they wanted for me. They were great and there when I needed them.

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

I wasn't working at the time... After the fact my new employer was great. Letting me off for appointments and test.

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

My stay was wonderfull.. everyone was great. I was in there for 4 days due to I had to go back to a hotel room and the doctor thought I'd rest so much better there.. see wonderfull doctor, great nurses. Never made you feel like you were a problem.

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

None, everything went great..

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 did have a hard time after surgery. Think a lot was due to the fact it was during the holidays. All that great food and cakes and candy. I felt so deprived.. felt it wasn't fair that I couldn't eat all that good stuff too. Yes, it was hard to deal with. Thought I'd be ready and could handle it till it came time to face it..Cried a lot too. Everyone told me to just wait and I'd feel so much better once I saw the pounds falling off.. they were great, gave me the support I needed at that time.

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

I was moody. Cried a lot, due to the fact there just wasn't anything I wanted to eat. I had to learn to eat meat again and that was so hard for someone who didn't eat red meat at all.. I also had to just learn to eat. So much different than what we were taught in our early life. Small bites, chew, chew, chew. Don't drink after you eat. I was raised in the south and we always drink tea with our meals. It was a hard time, but you do get thru it..

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

I live in the panhandle of Florida and that's up near Alabama. Went all the way to Ft Lauderdale for my surgery. That was an 11 hour trip there and home. But I wouldn't change it for anything.

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.

My Doctor only lets us eat protein. No breads, potatoes, veggies or fruits. Just protein. Very hard just eating meat. Now I really don't think about it anymore, it's become a way of life for me. But the first weeks were awful, then as the months went by, the easier it became. You learn..

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

Living so far away from my doctor's office we have nothing here for support. The only support I have is a friend who had it before me 2 years ago. I need that support group more than anything. I think it's important in the first months of surgery to have someone there to talk with. To hold your hand..be there when you need some help or feel like you can't go on without eating something sweet..

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

don't really have one. Just a few holes that healed up and you can't really see them now.. looks great to me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Depressed the first month, cried a lot and felt so out of it. The next month was kind of the same. When I would see some weight coming off would feel great, then back down again. This is the best month so far. I can eat now without hurting, I can see the weight falling off and the clothes getting smaller. I still have some problems with eating to fast or not chewing enough but I think with time they might get better too..

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. My family still treats me the same. Mom will forget and offer me something to drink with my food, but not to often now. She will cook me things at times that she knows I can eat. When I go visit it's the same as it was before surgery.