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

I first heard about bariatric weight loss after I saw a co-worker come back from having it done. The results were amazing!

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

My insurance company is Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal. They only required that I meet the BMI requirement and they approved me in just 3 days at 100%! They are awesome!

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

I was SO lost when I first went to meet with Dr. Patel. His staff was such a joy and he answered all my questions like a professional should.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I didnt want to die before my daughter graduated high school. At the rate I was gaining I was on a short road to my own downfall.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had many talks with many doctors on the diferent proceedures before deciding on mine.

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?

It was a risk either way. If I did not get the operation I stood a good chance of dying and so I said to hell with it lets get it done.

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 sceptical and critical prior to the operation they had heard so many failure stories. What a bunch of wife gossip BS! They had no clue of the statisics. Good thing I learned early on to make my own decisions, or I would have to chalk my life up to listening to nay-saying Idiots.

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

They were very supportive!

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

My stay at Innova Hospital was Awesome! The staff and doctors were great! I was there a whopping 3 days.

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

No complications what so ever.

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 angry that all I could eat was Mush lol ! But I got over it!

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

It was not as bad as I thought it would be. The pain was constantly annoying me when I tried to sit or lay down. but as time went by I got stronger and lighter.

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

I had to travel 2 hours both ways to San Antonio, Texas. It is a long trip but worth the bother.

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 ate mushy sugar-free fat-free foods and lots of skim milk. I will never touch jello or broth again. I still like apple sauce though.

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

Roaming to and fro from bed where I slept alot recovering from my wounds.

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

Flinstone vitamins Twice a day !

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?

None of the Above ! I havent felt better!

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

Easy! Waking up with 6 stab wounds and wanting to die! lol! I was not prepaired for that sensation of pain. Thankfully that had me on morphine shortly there after.

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

Since I have a two hour drive to and fro, I used obesityhelp.com allot. It is important to know how others have handled this lifestyle change.

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

My scars are the happy price I gladly paid for my life! And they are hardly noticable anymore! It puts the lotion on it's skin, or it gets the hose again!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had two small plateu's so far but raise the protien and it starts back up again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are amazed and compliment me often on my weight loss.