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

I had a friend who had it done and she was happy with it.. But first I was doing the research for my brother who is 350+ pounds and he have HMO inurance then he told me to stop then a friend of mine had it done and she wants me to have it done.

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

I have a wonderful inusrance with Blue Cross PPO and they approved with in 3 weeks. I was surprised when I received a letter from my insurance before Dr. Felix's office call me with the date.

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

I was nervous when I went in to see Dr. Edward Felix and don't know what to expected. ummmm.. When Jan sent me to have blood work and all the other stuffs I was ok with it. If you have lots of questions please write it down cuz I didn't and I forgot to ask some questions but it is done..

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After I filled out the questionaire on my family history and I decided to have it done. Also, at the time my daughter was getting marry and I wants to be around when she have some children. Also, I like going hiking with my family and ride my motorcycle too.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I don't I let Dr. Felix decide which proceedure to have and I felt comforable with the RHY and a friend of mine had it done and she was happy with it.

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?

Everyone went through it. Yes it is scary to have surgery.. Any time we go under the knive and it is scary. I was so scared about having it done when I was in the room getting ready to go into the surgery.. Before hand I was not afraid but when i was in the hospital that is when it hit me.. My husband was with me and he was surprised when he saw the tears came down on my cheeks and asked me what is wrong of course I couldn't put my finger on it til my mom told me it was fears. So if you are afraid then that is alright but put your life on God's hand and he will take care of it.

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 react to it was great and they were very very supportive. They will not help me to decide cuz it is my life and I need to make my own decision. I am glad that they support me. As for some of my friends they were very scared about the whole things cuz they hear some bad things and good things. They just leave me alone and let me decided what to do. They also prayed for me the whole time while I was making up my mind. After the surgery they were all there and very supportive and learning along with me what I can eat and what I can't eat.

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

3 or 4 of my co-worker were surprised that I was going to have the surgery. I didn't tell them til about 1 week before the surgery date. I feel that they will not approve it but I didn't care what they think..After awhile the idea settle then they accepted it and trying to be supportive.. 1 lady that I work with said that I am kind of helping her out by drinking lots of water and doing some exercise so she is very happy that I had it done and we kind of trying to work on losing weight. I was off work 3 days for I have no sick leave lefts. Then I went to work for 2 days and went to see Dr. Felix on Friday and went back to work since then. I don't do heavy work or lifting etc at work I would sit alots of time but I remind myself to get up and walk around for 10 mins with 1 or 2 students and co-worker who wants to walk with me.

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

I stayed at Fresno Surgerial Center... I only stayed there for 3 nights and 4 days. Just bring you comforable pj and slippers, teethbrush and toothpaste and your nesscary things.

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

I really didn't have any complications from the surgery.. The only thing is that gas pressure.. I just deal with it like walk walk walk and turn from 1 side to another side which help a whole lots.

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 happy that I got approved by the insurance then the realizity set in and realized that I am getting close to my surgey date.. I was happy but scare at the same time.. I didn't let my friends and family know that I was scared cuz they were scared enough why add to it.. I just tell myself to clam and relax about it.

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

They should keep walking and if the doctor give approval for you to start excerise then do so.. Don't wait to long so just start right away as soon he/she give you green light. You will experience some sharing from your families cuz they wants to see how much you are really eatting and if that is the case just ingore them and enjoy yourself.

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

I only have to travel 1 hour from where I live. When I left the hospital it took almost 2 hours to get home because I would have my mom stop the car every 1/2 hour so I can get out and walk for about 10 mins and sip my water.

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.

I pretty much can eat just about anythings except for fried food which make me sick. The first week I was home from the hospital I pretty much stick to the liquid diet for the whole week or 2 weeks then I gradually added scrabble eggs, applesauce, etc. mushy foods. As the weeks goes on I added some food to my diet.. I basically followed the food list that the doctor give me at the office. Now that I am 5 months out I am slowly adding another foods and I am still little scare about eatting some food that I used to eat.. I still can't eat fried foods cuz it upset my stomach. So, I just stay with healthy foods.

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

My actvity level is great now and before was little low cuz of the surgery. I had to upper my protein and my vitiaims. Now that I am 5 months out and I noticed there are something that I couldn't do before but now I can which make me very happy cuz I can do lots of things with Yoga...

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

I have been taking muti-vitamins from Costco, 1 or 2 times a week I will take iron pill just to bring my engery up, vitamins E gel. That about it.

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 have been vomiting because some foods doesn't agree with me or i forget to slow down or over eat.. I just go along with it and learn to slow down or cut back on my eatting.. As for my hair loss :( I start losing them around 3.5 month out I realized that I need to upper my protein and eat more protein instead depending on the drink.. I am still dealing with it..

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

There is no worst part about the bariatric surgery because I am glad I had it done and it helped me to lose weight and it also make me feel real good about myself. There were lots of things that I couldn't do in the past that I can do now. So I didn't not regreat it and I am very happy with it..

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

I joined in the support group on line but haven't been to the one where I lived.. The reason I didn't go to the one where I live is that I have been working and couldn't get off in time.. Anyway, the support group on line is really helpful to me and it also answer to some of the questions that I may have and they are very postive and supportative....

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

I only have less than 1" scar in 6 different places and they are fading away you could barely see them right now and I am so glad for it. I was hoping that I wouldn't have open RHY and I didn't. I had c-secation with my 2 children and I have scar from it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I havne't experience any plateau yet know on wood lol... I have lost alots of weight since the surgery.. I weighted in at 270# on the day of surgery and now I weighted in 180# but if we go by my old weight which was 2 years ago from today I weighted in 281#. The total weight lost if we go by 2 years ago is 100# gone on me if we go by this year which is 90# gone yipieeee!!!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I have noticed the some people treat me differnetly and some don't even reconized me when they do they were shocked. I have a little problem with men now that they are starting to notice me and try to make an pass at me which I try not to be rude put them down or put them in their place. I would like for them to treat me like they used to treat me but hey that is life and I am ejoying it very much. Matter of fact I am planning our 25 years anniveries and I am going to wear my "Mother" dress that I got for my daughter's wedding the past Janurary. It can be taken in so I am going to wear it agin for my 25 years anniveries party in April of 2003.