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

MY DOCTOR TOLD ME SHE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS SOMETHING I SHOULD CHECK INTO CAUSE I WAS HAVING SO MANY HEALTH PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF MY WEIGHT. MY FIRST THOUGHTS WERE NO WAY! I HAD HEARD SO MANY HORROW STORIES ABOUT THIS KIND OF SURGERY BUT MY DOCTOR ASK ME TO GO TO A SESSION TO CHECK IT OUT, SO I DID AND THERE I MET THE DOCTOR WHO WILL HELP ME CHANGE MY LIFE,DR.MITCHELL.....

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

I did not have any problems there cause I had medicade and medicare and it was covered completely...........

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

WOW it was so wonderful! Dr.Mitchell was so kind and you could tell right off the git go that he had a love for obese people and he had compassion...........He made sure all your questions were answered......The most you can get from this meeting is to ask all the questions you can think of thats on your heart......ASK ASK ASK.......

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My Family Dr. told me I was going to die obese if I didn't get help soon.........And I didn't want to die like this........My boys still needed me!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I let the Surgion help me deside after we went through them all. I just trusted him!

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 can't say I had no fears cause I did, But I already knew I would die without it sooner than I should anyway......So I just made sure I was saved by grace and I put My Faith and Trust in Jesus to see me through......

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 was so supportive to me! They knew I had to do something and they were willing to help any way they could.

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

I was not working. I was on Disibilty due to obesity..

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

I just talk to people on here is all...........I do go to a semanar every once in a while to chat with others.....but there are no suport groups near me.....

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

Well it an't pretty, but it's my battle wounds......lol And yes it is like I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Hardly any at all for me! I have been Blessed! I'm avaraging a pound a week now.......

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes and it makes me mad sometimes cause only my Body has changed not Me!!!! My mind is the same and My sprit is the same!!!!!!!