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

I found out on T.V. I was very excited about it but wanted to wait to see if there was any major down falls. I was also scared of it as well.

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

I was very excited to find out that my insurance approved me. The approval process went very fast for me.

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

I had already knew the surgeon because he did a different surgery on me before. I would say though not to be scared to ask questions....even if you think they might be dumb. Read the material that they give you and make sure that you understand everything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have been through a lot of tradgedy in my life and I just wanted to make a change. I couldn't control what was going on in that aspect but I could control my weight by having this surgery. When I finally made that decision it was like a fifty pound weight was lifted off of my chest.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

They were doing the micro pouch here where I live and that's what I started to check into. It had a higher success rate than the others.

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 day before surgery is the worse. All I could think about was my two boys and how I was not ready to die. I fought back tears all day long. I couldn't even stand to look at them because I felt that I was spending my last day with them. But when I woke up the next morning I gave each one of them a kiss and headed to the hospital and I felt a inner peace.....I wasn't scared any more.

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 my husband and other members of my family were against it. After talking with my husband and getting all his questions answered he felt better. But other family kept tring to talk me out of it. All they did was make me more determined. But after the surgery everyone was great. They supported my all the way.

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

I didn't care what anyone thought at work. I told them what I was having done and some asked questions. I was off work for seven weeks and returned on light duty.

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

My stay wasn't bad....over all it was good they was one nurse there that I didn't care for but you'll have that. I was in the hospital for six days. I brought a picture of my boys, some pillows, slippers and some chap stick because you lips are sooooo dry.

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

Well I have a hernia right now. I'm not happy about it because I'm not ready for more surgery but I have no regrets. I'm thankful I had the surgery.

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

The surgery was the easy part. My back felt like it was broke. I was having bad back spasms that would put me in tears. And my neck would cramp up and I would ask my husband for a rub down. They were a few times I wondered what I did to myself and hoped that I made the right decision. Everyday things would get better and I would just think that tomorrow was another day and closer to feeling like my old self.

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

Find yourself and comfortable recliner because the bed just won't do. Every time your body does something that new to you...your worried that something is wrong. Just listen to your body and pay attention to whats going on. It's going through so many changes that you just have to be patient.

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

I was only 20 min. from the hospital. So I am luck that I don't have to travel.

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.

At first I could stand anything sweet. I even had to water down juices. And I could only eat a very small amount like a bird but now being almost six months out I don't water down my juices anymore and I can eat more now as well. Food wise the only thing that I haven't tried is corn and popcorn. I just pick uot food that chews up easy so that I don't plug up my pouch.

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

I take Vista vitamins capsuls. They make me feel better than when I was talking Centrum chewables.

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

Having the IV in my neck. I don't know why but that really rattled my cage......I cried like a baby and started to panic while the doctor was doing it.

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

They have monthly meeting and they're only a phone call away. I have home phone numbers of my doctor who did the surgery and also people that work for him. I can call them day or night....they don't care. It's nice going to the monthy meeting and talking with other patients who've had this done. I really enjoy going.

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

My scar runs down the middle of my stomach and starts about two inches below my breasts and runs around my belly button and stops about two inches below. It doesn't look bad.....I don't mind it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm having my fist plateau and I'm not liking it. I hit about four in a half months after surgery and I've been stuck there for about two months now. But I'm still losing inches because I'm fitting into smaller sizes. I just keep telling myself that it will pass.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Everyone treats me the same.