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

I HAD BEEN DEARD ABOUT BARISTRIC SURGERY YEARS A GO, BUT I NEVER GAVE IT ANY THOUGHT BECAUSE IT WAS PREFORMED OPENED AND THAT TERRIFIED ME THE THOUGHT OF BEING CUT OPEN.

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

I WAS DENIED FOR APPROVAL ON 2-14-06 VALENTINES DAY IT TOOK MY INS. COMP. 12 DAYS TO MAKE A DECISION. I APPEALED 3-20-06, AND WAS APPROVED 12 DAYS LATER. AS SO MANY PEOPLE FROM OBESITYHELP ADVISED ME DON'T EVER GIVE UP.

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

IT WAS PLEASANT DR. SCHNEIDER WAS VERY COMPASSIONATE AND A GOOD LISTENER.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I WAS AT MY WITS END I COULD NO LONGER DO IT ON MY OWN. AND MEDICADE WAS COVERING IT.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I ATTENDED A SEMINAR WHICH DECUSSED ROUEN-Y, THEN I PURCHASED A WLS BOOK THAT EXPLAINED THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SURGERY. AND AT MY CONSULTATION WITH DR. SCHNEIDER I ASKED HIM WHICH DO HE THINK WOULD BE BEST FOR ME HE STATED"ROUEN-Y DISTAL.

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?

ANY KIND OF SURGERY IS MAJOR. MY MOST FEAR OF COURCE WAS DYING, LEAVING MY KIDS TO BE RAISED WITHOUT ME.I WAS NERVOUS AND EXCITED AT THE SAME TIME. I WOULD TELL ANYBODY TO KEEP THEIR FAITH, AND BELIVE IN PRAYER.

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?

WELL THERE WERE MIXED EMOTIONS ALL AROUND. MY SISTER WAS AGAINST IT AT FIRST UNTIL SHE SEEN HOW DEPRESSED I WAS WITH BEING OVERWEIGHT, THEN SHE CAME TO SUPPORT ME, BROTHER IS STILL AGAINST IT,B UT MY FATHER WAS ALL FOR IT FROM DAY ONE. HE HAS ALWAYS COMMENTED ON MY WEIGHT IN A NEGITIVE WAY.

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

I DIDN'T TELL THEM I WAS HAVING WLS. I JUST STATED I HAVE TO RESIGN FROM MY POSITION. I RESIGNED IN NOV.2005 AND I PLAN ON GOING BACK TO WORK SEPT.2006. SO I WILL BE OFF FROM WORK FOR 10 MONTHS.

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

MY STAY AT THE HOSPITAL WAS PLEASANT, I WAS THERE FOR A DAY. ADMITTED 4-25-06, DISCHARGED 4-26-06 AT 6PM.

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

NONE

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 FELT HAPPY,NERVOUS,EXCITED,WORRIED. I DEALT WITH THOSE FEELINGS CALMLY. I PRAYED DAILY.

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

A WHOLE NOTHER COUNTY FROM WAYNE COUNTY TO MACOMB COUNTY.

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

MY ACTIVITY LEVEL IS SOME WHAT UP, I GET UP AT 7AM TO GET THE KIDS READY FOR SCHOOL, I DRINK A PROTEIN SHAKE, HAVE SOME JUICE, WALK IN THE BACKYARD A BIT. SIT A LITTLE TAKE A SHOWER AT 11AM, HAVE LUNCH. I USUALLY GET TO THE RECLINER AT 9PM.

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

CHILDREN FLINTSTONE VITS,CITRUM CHEWABLE.

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?

I HAVEN'T EXPERINCED ANY SIDE EFFECTS.

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

THE PAIN TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY STOMACH, NOT BEING ABLE TO SLEEP IN MY BED, BECAUSE IT'S TOO LOW.

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

STILL ACTIVE WITH OH.COM AND ATTEND SOME WL MEETINGS.

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

MY SCARS ARE BEARLY NOTICEABLE, NO IT IS NOT WHAT I EXPECTED IT IS BETTER.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

WELL TO DATE I AM 5 WEEKS POST-OP AND I'M LOSING A POUND A DAY.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I HAVE LOST 41LBS. AND SOME PEOPLE DO TREAT ME DIFFERENTLY, LIKE STANDING CLOSER TO ME IN LINES AT THE STORE.