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

I first heard about bariatric surgery five years ago when our family doctor recommended my husband under go surgery for weight loss. I was happy for him but also scared but at the time for me it seemed to be a drastic measure and I thought I could do it all by myself. But after seeing his success and the lack of mine I soon changed my mind.

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

I battled with insurance for nearly two years to get approval. But oh was it ever worth the fight!

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

The first meeting was good and it answered a lot of the questions I had. People should make a list of questions and ask them that's the only way to make the most of your first meeting.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was over a hundred pounds over weight and high blood pressure and diabetes. I was absolutely miserable and couldn't do anything with my kids.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

From this website and from friends who had been very successful with RNY Gastric bypass. And because of me being diabetic and needing to be off sugar anyway with this surgery sugar needs to be avoided or you will get sick.

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 had a lot of fears and for very good reason. Two months prior to my surgery a very good friend of mine died from complications from the surgery. She was only thirty one years old and a mother of two children. But I ultimately decided it was a gamble I was willing to take and that I would prepare myself for surgery as best I could and by making sure my surgeon took neccesary precautions with me as well.

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?

Most were very supportave but still scared because of what happened to my friend. But my dad tried to talk me out of it. But in the end he was there for me as was everyone in my family, friends, and co-workers. Everyone has been wonderful since then to by making sure they have available things I can eat at gatherings. And encouraging me with positive words.

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 supportave. I was upfront with them and told them the truth. I only took off one week from work. I had surgery on a tuesday and returned to work the next tuesday. I did not have any kind of strenuous work I had to do.

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

We have monthly meetings at the hospital I went to but I am not able to get to them very often because of work. But at work a friend and I eat healthy together and go to curves regularly and work out. I also keep in contact with a few friends who have had the surgery and we encourage each other as well.

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

My scar is looks well but I had the laporascopic Gastric bypass. It is better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had plateau experiences many times in the last year as a matter of fact I am on one now but I have learned not to get to upset it goes with the territory just relax and it will come off soon.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yea people stare and comment on the new me all the time. Especially men. It's very strange to me!