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

Through the internet. I was scared at first. We're talking about changing something that has been lifelong. Basically, I just went back and forth with yes I want it to, maybe I just need to stay the way I am.

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

Insurance approval was given to me within 2 weeks of applying so I didn't have a problem with it.

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

Dr. Waits really impressed me. His office manager Karen made me feel relieved when I first walked in the door.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew I was going to die if I didn't. I really want to live to see my children grow up and have children.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Waits and Masic made the final decision.

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 thought I would die on the table but I knew one way or the other, I would be better off. As for everyone else, just go with it and don't change your mind because of fear.

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?

My family, friends and everyone I know was extremely supportive of me. I even had people sending me money to help defray some of my travel expenses. Everyone is still supportive of me. My mother cries and jumps with joy over all my hills just as I do.

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

They were happy with it, most of them. One person was a pain until I sent here more information on the surgery. Then she was alright. I was out of work approximately 3 weeks.

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

My hospital stay was the best I have ever had. They even give you a shot to deaden your hand so you don't feel the iv needle going in. My hospital had everything I needed. I was there for 3 1/2 days.

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

The only complications I had were about 6 months after the surgery, I got inflamation in my joints from the rapid weight loss. I stayed on Vioxx for awhile and then was put on Bextra. I now have no more problems with it.

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 kept getting more and more depressed. Just got tired of being who I was and not being able to do things for myself. I cryed and ate a lot.

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

The first few weeks, I of course was depressed. I couldn't eat what I wanted and I still had to cook for my family and watch them eat what I couldn't. Just keep on looking to the future and realize it gets so much better.

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

Four hours there and four hours back. I don't get to attend as many support groups as I would like.

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.

The first two weeks all I had was cheese grits and mashed potatoes. Thats all I could stand. The third week I got to eat a scrambled egg and it was wonderful. Now I can't stand scrambled eggs or grits. I have a problem with some fish, but can pretty much eat anything else. I don't care for carbonated beverages any more thank goodness. Unfortunately I can still eat chocolate. In the first few months I was lactose intolerant but not with cheese. Just milk and yogurt. Now I can have both. I just don't care for the taste of milk to drink but it is fine on cereal.

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

Pretty much everything tired me out after surgery. But now, you should see me go. I seem to bursts of energy. When I get one my husband just sets back and laughs at me cause I clean everything.

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

I take one Flintstone chewables with iron and one Caltrate chewable calcium supplement per day.

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 had hair loss from month three to month six, but I have plenty anyway. I definately learned not to overeat. The nausea is just different after the surgery. You are just sitting there and then bam, you have food in your mouth to spit up. It lasted about two months and then it hit me, you have got to let go of this impulse to over eat. It is so much easier with the surgery. You can actually feel the difference between head hunger and real hunger. I never could before.

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

The months between finding out I was approved and the day that I actually had surgery.

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

Support groups are wonderful. I go to the one in Atlanta as often as I can. I also attend one in Warner Robins. I have tryed to start one here but it only lasted for a couple of months. I crave support group meetings now.

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

It is healed and a light pink color. Over time I expect it to heal just like my other scars, if not, there always tattoos.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had one major plateau that lasted about 3 weeks. It was so depressing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, even though I am still big, I am already getting flirted with. It's pretty cool. My husband has actually gotten jealous over some of the comments men have made about me. I have been married 16 years and have seen my husband jealous only twice. It's pretty cool just so long as he don't get carried away with it.