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

My dear friend Leigh in Colorado first told me about the Fobi-pouch procedure that she had done. It opened up a whole new world of possibilities to me. Thank God, I finally found out about WLS.

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

Try to have complete information. The diet history is really important. It is time consuming to get it all down on paper, but very work while in the grand scheme of getting approval. If you are with a group plan or an employers plan, get the benefit coordinator involved early on. Ask for their help and support, I did't do this until I was 3 months into the approval process and I think it would have made things go faster if I had gone to her first thing.

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

I had done alot of research prior to my visit so I didn't have alot of questions. I would say to write everything down so you don't forget anything. I waited for two long months to get in to see the surgeon so make every minute with them count. I must say, I got the best info from this site and those who were post-op. People who have had the WLS are the best sources of info. Theres no sugar coating, just all the facts. Don't be afraid to ask the sensitive stuff. Believe me, these doctors have seen and heard it all.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to lose 140 lbs and I had tried everything I thought possible. I was abit afraid, but would do it again in a minute. In my opinion the WLS is the only way to take off and maintain a weight loss of 100+ lbs.

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

My hospital stay was 4 days. The first two days were painful but not any worse than I expected. I took a small fleece blanket which I used alot. I took my own slippers but used the rest of the stuff the hospital supplied.

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

no complications.

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 ate alot. I keep having my last meal. I probably gained 20 lbs waiting for the process to unfold. Not a good idea in hind sight.

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

I attend a monthly meeting that my surgeon puts on. Its been very helpful and informative. I am also a member of an on line support group with 50 women that are in various stages of pre-op to post-op. It great to hear what others go thru and get advise, support, and questions from those who are going thru the same kinds of stuff.

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

I had a lap DS procedure so my scar looks like a ? around my navel. I was very lucky to have a lap procedure. My advice is that if you can do it lap go for it. The open scars are much bigger than mine.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost the first 30 lbs within 2 months, then plateaued some. But now I am losing 10-15 lbs monthly. EXERCISE...H20....protein, the 3 magic keys to continued weigh loss with a plateau. Its all a part of the norm.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Now that I am down 70 lbs people definately are noticing and telling me I look good. I am 1/2 to my goal weight so I am determined to have continued success.