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

I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE SURGERY FROM A WOMEN THAT I WORKED WITH. AT FIRST I THOUGHT WHAT A CRAZY WOMEN. THEN I STARTED TO RESEARCH IT MY SELF. THEN I STARTED TO HAVE MAJOR HEALTH ISSUES. MY DR SAID YOU NEED TO GET THIS SURGERY. I DID ALOT OF RESEARCH FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND PICKED A SURGENT THAT I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE RIGHT FOR ME.

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

I WISH I COULD GIVE ADVICE ON THIS BUT I CANT YOU SEE I SENT IN ALL MY PAPER WORK IN WITHING 30DAYS I WAS APROVED.

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

I HAD MY SURGERY DEC 20TH OF 2004 AND WE HAD A BAD WINTER STORM SO I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR ABOUT 4 DAYS DO TO WEALTHER. THE DR AND NS WHERE VERY HELPFUL. I WOULD SAY MAKE SURE THAT YOU BRING A LIGHT OUTFIT THAT IS LOSE SO YOU CAN MOVE ABOUT EASLY.MAKE SURE THAT YOU WALK AS MUCH AS YOU CAN THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. BE PATIENT WITH YOUR SELF.

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

I HAVE HAD A FEW PROBLEMS AND STILL DO. I THINK YOU JUST NEED TO HAVE ALL THE SUPPORT OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT YOU POSSIBLE CAN HAVE. WHEN I HAVE THINGS GOING ON HEALTH WISE I PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL FRIENDS OR FAMILY AND THEY REALY HELP. PLEASE NOTE I DO CALL MY DR FIRST AND MAKE SURE THAT IT IS NOTHING LIFE THREATING!!!!!!

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

AFTER I GOT MY SURGERY DATE I CRIED. I WAS SO HAPPY, BUT SCARED AT THE SAME TIME. HOW I COPED WITH ANY ANXIETY WOULD BE TALKING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY THEY HELPED ALOT. I JUST NEW TO HAVE FAITH.

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

I CANT SPEAK FOR EVERY BODY BUT I HAD MY SURGERY FIVE DAYS BEFOR CHRISTMAS, AND WITH NEW YEARS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER IT WAS SO HARD. I WANTED TO BE OUT WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY HAVING A GOOD TIME. I KNEW I COULD NOT DO THAT. MY FAMILY GOOD LOVE THEM THEY WHERE GREAT WE DID HAVE A LITTLE PARTY. JUST TAKE YOUR TIME MAKE SURE YOU WALK ALOT AND JUST TRY TO TAKE IT EASY. YOUR BODY HAS HAD ALOT DONE TO IT. PLEASE I STRESS AND I MEAN IT STRESS IT VERY MUCH WHAT EVER YOU DO PLEASE LISEN TO YOUR DRS. FRIENDS,AND FAMILY CAN GIVE ADVICE BUT IF YOUR NOT SURE CALL THE DR

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

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE SUPPORT. I MAKE SURE THAT I GO TO A SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS IN MY AREA ONCE A MNT. THIS HELPS. ALSO I GO ON LINE AND CHAT WITH OTHERS. TO ME THERAPY HELPS AS WELL. SOMETIMES WE NEED TO SORT OUT SOME ISSUES

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

MY SCARE IS NOTING LIKE I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED. IT IS ABOUT 6INCH LONG AND NOT VERY DARK AT ALL

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

WE ALL EXPERIENCE PLATEAUS JUST HANG IN THERE. I KNOW THAT I STOPED FOR ABOUT 2MNTS AND WAS STILL WORKING OUT AND WAS NOT LOSING ANTHING. BUT I JUST STAYED FOCUSED. I JUST LOOKED AT IT LIKE THIS MY BODY IS TRYING TO PLAY CATCH UP.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I KNOW THAT PEOPLE TREAT ME DIFFERENTLY NOW, I HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE MORE WILLING TO HELP AT STORES. KNOW ITS LIKE PEOPLE ARE ACTUAL LOOKING AT ME AND LISTING TO ME NOT JUST BLOWING ME OFF. BUT ITS SO HARD BECAUSE PEOPLE USED TO LOOK AND STARE AND MAKE FUN OF SO ITS REALLY HARD TO STOP THINKING THAT SOMEONE IS NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU NESASSARLEY THEY MIGHT BE THINKING SOMETHING ELES