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

I first found out about it when I heard that Carney Wilson had had the surgery and she was doing so well after. I thought that's the easy way out why not do it yourself.

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

Well at first, I thought I was not going to get approved because I was told: "You don't have high blood pressure", or any other so called disease that obese people are assumed to have. But after going through all the tests and I found i had sleep apnea, a sleep disorder which causes you to stop breathing while your sleeping. Then the insurnece that I had decieded that instead of paying for the surgery they would pay for the treatment for the sleep apena. So, I switched insurence company's that worked with me and my employer until I found one that approved me for the surgery.

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

My first visit was more of Dr. Bale getting to me. Inform your doctor of everything you've been through with your weight, so they can help choose what will be best and the most comfortable for you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I realized I could not walk up 6 steps without being out breath and coming to grips with @ 357 pounds I had a 65% chance of getting just about any disease and/or dying before I was 35 and by having the surgery I had a 1% chance of dying and 90% chance of living a long and healthy life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew I was an obese person and some things were probly shifted around to the excess weight and I wanted the doctor to see everything.

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?

the night before my surgery I was teriffied, but I prayed and said to myself your doing this for you to become a better healthy you.

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?

At first they kind of leary about it until, they realized that I was doing this to better myself and due was I knew was best me. After all was said and done, the weight started coming off and not to fast, they are behind me 200% and then some.

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

My supervisor and co-workers could not wait to see the results, I explaind to them everything I would be having done and I was only out of work for a total of 6 weeks.

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

My stay in the hospital was very comfortable but at the same time my body felt like giving up due to not being lie down like you want to. I was there for about 4 days and on the 3 day I was walking up staris, my nurses were great. The most important thing to bring with you is some very comfortable going home clothes and a picture of family, cause lieing in any hospital in pain that one photo reminds you of how strong you really are.

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

Glady I did not have any complications, unless you call my wound leaking a bit and having to be stuffed in one tiny area. Other than that I thank GOD for no other 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 was very anxious and could not wait to see what I would look like after. So, i just focused on the diet plan my doctor gave me to follow before surgery and low and behold I actually lost 13 ponds before my surgery.

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

My first few weeks home were a bit uncomfortable, I mean you can not lay down you have to sleep sitting up unless you have a recliner which I reccommend if your planning on having surgery. Move around as much as you can with out strainning yourself this helps your body from becoming stiff.

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

i did not have to travel far at all my hospital is right in the city I live in maybe about 6-10 miles.

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.

For some strange reason chicken bothers me, the minute I place a piece of chicken in my mouth my stomach starts rumbling and i start dumping.

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

At, first very slow like baby steps but as the days went on I walked a little more which made want to excersie a little and then preform a little routine for myself.

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

I take womans one a day wiehgt smart, iron b12, a regular iron pill and I used to take a calcium pill but now I make sure I eat more then enough foods that contain calcium.

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 did go through a little bit of dumping for about 1 week due to the way some foods were seasoned. I still have that every now and then when I eat something that may not even be that spicy but to my belly it is. I just continue to watch very carefully what I eat and also read all ingredients on everything.

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

The worst part was not being able to get comfortable to get a good nights rest.

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

Well, I have not gone to any. My family is my support they keep me going and on my feet about everything.

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

My scars not bad , it is very light and healed nicely which I exspected it to look like it did right after I had surgery raised and scaly looking like snake skin.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well, this is actually my first plateau @ 243 pounds, so right now I'm excersing more and watching what I eat and being a little more careful of high fat foods.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, some people look at me as if they never knew me before and act as if they do not like me now since I've lost the weight but I'm still the same person inside.