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

Humm.. My mother was in the hospital for her weight. She was give or take 500 pounds. Her roommate was this skinny woman that has the surgery and was so thin she was dying if she could not keep food down. My mother sorta said she rather die then go through that. Well she did. That sorta got me thinking in a negative way about it. After moving and making drastic changes in my life I consulted my GP about it a few years ago. He was really cool about it but there were no doctors in the state that I live in that preformed the surgery. So I dropped the thoughts. Well, I went through all my issues and things on my plate that I needed to get cleared up and found 1 last issue still not dealt with. Weight. So I did a web search for it and started reading. Called the GP and saw him and we are starting the ball rolling but it's not all-good news. Seems there are now 2 Dr's in the State of New Mexico abut a wait list of about 2 yrs. Other option is a Dr in TX that is waiting to hear from my INS co if they are going to accept him as a provider. If they do, I am off to TX. If not.. Who knows what.

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

First time and approved. Ya can't ask for anything better then that.

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

Dr Frezza had a question and answer session in his waiting room. He told it like it was and does not think that painting a pretty picture is the way to go. I liked that right from the start. After the question and answer period there was a private consultation where he went over everything again and answered your personal questions and then talked about what would be best for you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I woke up and started smelling the coffee so to speak and lots of research.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I want the least pervasive. So far I am reading horror stories from the other surgerys. I am looking at the Lapband.

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?

Up until the time of going under I was thinking : What are you doing?" is this really what you want?? Scared. Yes, still scared, Yes,. All I can do is really deal with what comes along and do everything in my power not to fail.

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?

Husband not thrilled but we are still in the looking into it stage. After suregery not too sure that my husband is still thrilled with my decission. Other family members seem okay with it.

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

Employer was understanding. Co-working asking when I will return and how I am doing. I was out of work for 3 weeks.

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

Hospital stay was short and I mean short. 24 hours. I was amazed! The care was wonderful.

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

Not really until I left and came home. Once home I developed a fever and slight infection. Called the Dr. right away and got meds for infection and fever.

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 have felt very normal. In planning, getting all the tests done, and waiting for the date to arrive. Now my feeling with only 1 week left is when everything is changing. I am on edge, short tempered, scared, and excited. Tons of things are running through me. The biggest thing that is running through me is that I will not make it through the surgery. Why I don't know, I have had 9 surgeries in my life to date and I never felt this way before going under. Why now? I have no idea.

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

Tired. Very tired. Not hungry at all but still need to do as directed and drink and move around to get the body back where it needs to be.

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

I Live in New Mexico and Traveled to Lubbuck TX. About a 5-7 hour 300+ mile drive depending on weather conditions. Not a bad drive at all. We have a motorhome so it's a lovely ride and I can either site in a seat upfront or lie down in the bedroom.

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.

Phase 1 is liquids, and now I am in phase 2 soft foods. So far so good. Also starting to eat a little bit of solids. Don't rush nor push the eating.

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

slow to start due to being tired. Now 2 weeks out I am ready to get back in to my rutine of working and getting things done

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

Just starting vitimans now.. I am not big on taking these sorts of things, nver have been.

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?

Only sleep problem was due to being a bit sore afterwards. Other then that. No problems at all.

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

That I have from day one been in band failue and it has not really worked the way it should, so going to have it done all over again

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

Just family and friends

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

I have 5 little scares that will fade away to be nothing. I had a small lump removed in the same area a yr ago and that scar is bigger.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The dredded 250 mark has always been the place it happens. Just kept at it til I got under there... next area will be 200

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Family, friends and co-workers have started to notice the weight loss and are happy and positive to me