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

I first found out by visitng Dr. Eric Pinnar for other medical issues and heard a couple of conversations about weight lost. considering I am a very nosey person I ask the front desk nurse what was the patient talking about and my journey started from that point .

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

My insurance was United Healthcare and from the point of my filling out the papers I called back to the doctor's office and ask the nurse on duty to advise me when she sent the request in. She did and from that point on I called everyday and checked with UHC to see if they had recieved the request. my insurance was approved in eight days. You must call once a week to see where you are on the list. The second day I called the lady told me my papers had been put in a file that would have never been looked at had i not called in.

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

My first vist was beautiful,as everyone has said in so many emails,the staff spent so much time with me. I had a lot of questions and some of them were stupid. I even ask the doctor if I could die. His answer was YES. Then my husband came with me the next time and he ask his set of questions. At no time did the doctor or his staff make me feel that I was asking stupid questions. I truly love Dr Pinnar and his staff and would never ever go to another Doctor. If something happens to Dr Pinnar I will have my band removed.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I scheuled my surgery almost 2 years ago and chicken out about three days before surgery. Then one day decided this is it, If I do not have surgery I am going to die. I went to see a bone surgeon to see why my knees hurt so bad,he told me that I was obese. I wenr to the car and called my husband and told him what the doctor told me and he said what are your plans. my answer to him is I'm going to get this weight off me now. The journey started...........

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I spent over 2 hours in Dr. Pinnars office and upon leaving his office I decided this was the surgery for me.

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 had no fears because I wanted to live and see my daughter go down the aisle on 9-23-2006. I wanted to live

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 against this surgery and so I did not tell them about it until it was over. After the surgery and the weight loss they have been there for me and two of my cousins have since had the surgery.

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

I did not tell my company what type of surgery I was having, I was out of work for 4 days just to relax. I could have went back to work the next day If I had wanted to

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

I was in the hospital for one day, I felt this was important and necessary.

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

I have not had any complications and the surgery was perfect. I would so it all again and again. Dr Eric Pinnar is the "bomb" and his staff

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 excited and have ask that I be given a date sooner if someone cancel. I was to the point in my life that this was what I wanted to do.

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

My first day home was a Sat,i'm not going to lie to you. My stomach was sore and it hurt to get up and down. However after the second day things were beautiful. I made nosie just so my husband would take care of me. I went back to work on the next wed after surgery.

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

3miles from my home

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.

Right after surgery it was liquids and in the weeks to come it was soft food. Apple sauce became and still is my best friend. I have not had steak in almost two years and cannot eat Pizzas at all

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

My activity level was very low because I wanted to make sure I did not do any damage to my body .

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

I take one -one A day Vitamin every 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?

I have had no side effects

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

the two weeks on liquid

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

I have not been involved with any support groups

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

Five small scars..this is what I expected

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no