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

I heard through several doctors and friends about the surgery but never thought of me being a candidate.

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

Extremely overwhelmed and excited after trying for over a year for approvals... Never give up keep trying its all well worth the headaches!

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

The entire office staff were all great. I just didn't get that look from them. Being perpared for the worse and getting results form you doctor and staff. Be open minded and listen.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was so ready for years to get my life back. It was the first day I started to live when I get the good years.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Just wanted one didn't care which one just do it. i had rather have had the Lap-Band but Insurance didn't cover back then.

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 was going to die from all the heath problems anyway. I just didn't bother me having the surgery.

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?

Negatively! they wanted me to stay the same so that way that way they could continue to run my life for me.

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 able to work because of my health issues. It took me nearly a year before I was able to get a job.

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

I was only there for two days. It was a long way from my home in South Georgia so we stayed in a nearby hotel for a couple of days per the doctors idea.

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

None what so ever!

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 had all the literature and help from close friends and the classes i took before surgery to help me through.

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

Uncomfortable because of the surgery areas. Sleeping was a problem because I never was able to get a comfortable position.

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

nine hours. I had a local doctor that took care of all my needs.

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 carried out the menu plan that was designed for me strictly! Eventually as the weeks went by more food was added to my daily plan. I wasn't hungry anymore. Just add to live!

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

It picked up everyday. Started walking and then joined the gym!

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

Multi-vitamin with Calcium, Calcium, Green tea extract, Fruit supplement, vegatable supplements, B-12, Biotin, Potassium when needed, one aspirin per day...Protien

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?

The sleep problem went away when the surgical areas stopped draining. Hair loss was a biggy for me. I started taking 50 + protein supplements per day plus the biotin anf now its healthier than ever.

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

The waiting to get approved! Couldn't believe I let myself go like this and had to use drastic measures to improve my life.

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

Obesity Help. Support Groups and friends

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

Nearly gone!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've moved and divorced and have a new job and close to my family and friends.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Extremely different now. I've gone from a size 14-16 nearly 18 to size 0 to 1. I'm only 4'11 so people do look at me differently. Nor do they recognize me.