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

A co-worker. The weight loss she had in a short length of time and keeping it off. And she also was taken off all of her medication.

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

My insurance wasn't as strict as others. I just had to prove I had tried different weigh loss programs and also with physicians records of trying to lose. I only had to come up with $2000.00 and the insurance paid the rest. Plus the hospital prepay.

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

It was uplifting and positive. He let you know what it was going to be like and what it looked liked after they did the surgery. I had the gastric bypass. He let you make your decision which one you wanted.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After talking with the doctor I felt this was the best thing for me and my last resort in getting help. I'm glad I made the decision with the Lord's help . I felt at peace.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My weight was 348 and I felt the gastric was better for me. Since I couldn't exercise like I wanted to and plus you could lose more faster to get you where I could walk without getting of breath.

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 really didn't think too much about death because I felt that I was about their if I didn't do anything about my situation. I prayed about the surgery that the Lord would lead and guide the surgeion and sterlize everyting that all would be ok. I had peace. And that's all I needed.

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?

They supported me in my decision. And continue to support me in my healing and helping after surgery of recovering.

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

They were very supportive because they felt for me because they could see how hard I was having getting around. I was out for two weeks. Got a small infections and stayed out for another week. They were ok with that also.

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

Checked on a Tuesday and Checked out Friday. 4 days. Some hospital suppy toothbrush, toothpaste, comb. Bring brush for hair. You will be up and down using the bathroom and the hospital will supply your gown because you will have some accidents sometime getting to the bathroom. It happens. But you will be alright. Bring deorderant and clothes to leave in. Like a lounger or a dress big enough to cover your bandages. Shoes and socks.

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

I did have an infection the day before I had to return to work and. I went to the doctor and he had me to keep it clean and go ahead and return to work. But it didn't work out that well. So took a week off and it healed. I was ok after that and no other problem occured.

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 excited I was accepted by the insurance that I really didnt have any anxiety. I was at peace after prayers to the Lord. I even had the anesthesiologist and their help to pray before I went under. I was in my room next time I woke up.

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

You will need some help from your family members. Bathing and getting up and down slowly . Need to take your medication. Keep up of what you eat daily and your calories. You may need someone to help you keep up with when you take your medication and how much for a while until you get use to it. Also crush your medication so it won't get caught in your esophagus. Please don't try to eat. Just drink your liquids until the doctor tell you different,.

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

My surgery was in Nashville, Tn. I didn't have to drive far. I live in Nashville. My husband drove me.

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.

All this information will be given to you by the dietician before you have your surgery. And please follow the booklet they give you so you won't have any complications.

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

Walking around the house. You be amazed how you can get around much better after a small amount of weight lioss.

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

Vitamin D, Iron, B12, Calcium Citrate, and Omega 3 or you can make sure you eat fish for the omega3

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?

Dumping for about 30 minutes -please don"t eat sweets. You don't that dumping feeling. Hair loss didnt start until around 1 year but you must get your protein in. I didnt have much hair loss. I slept fine. If you think you haven't over eaten sometime you can't tell you end up feeling nausea or vomiting it back up. Vomiting is not like the natural vominting. It just comes up. You can just stand bent over the commode and it just comes up.

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

The first walk in the hospital it was very hard. But it got easier. The reason is that you are still hurting.

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

Every 2nd Tuesday a group meeting. We have discussions about our daily encounters. Or they may have guess to help you with any problems that comes along. They also have psychotherperist to help . Plus other support groups. Centennial Hospital is the best I've ever heard of and the services are free after surgery. They are very helpful and you should attend if you have them available.

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

You can't go by scar because I scare easitly. But I've seen others who didn't scar like me and it didn't look bad. Mines not that bad but you can see where the sculptures went.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At 15 to 18 months I started to go up and down between 2 to 3 lbs. But that happens you just have to stay focused and count you calories.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No. I'm the same. I smiled before I had surgery and treated people nice then and I still treat people the same and they treat me the same. They're all seen to be happy for me. Even if they are envious.