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

I found out through friends and family and my initial impression was that I would be scared to go through with it

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

OHIP covered it in Ontario

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Everyday I thought of how much better my lives and the lives of my children would be if only I could lose this weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Doctor initially decided which was best 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?

As I waited in the hallway in front of the operating room.. I cried as I was scared of my kids losing their mom... but after having plenty of time to think about it I realized that either way my kids will be ok and that I was going to make 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 and friends were very supportive

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

I was self employed

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I was very happy to have learned about the procedure before having it and I highly recommend that everyone do so ..

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 2 days ( my choice, as the surgeon said I can go home the day after) All staff members were AMAZING and If I would need to do it again , I would!

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

none at all

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 just came on line to read and chat with others going through the same thing

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

I took it easy and no expectations were set , as everyone knew this was a long slow process

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

Fiancee drove me there and mother in law drove me home

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

everything was done in a slow manner

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

2 multivitamis with 2 B12 in morning, 1 calcium with B3 3 x's per day and 2 iron with 1 vit C before bed

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

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

Having to think before eating and not being able to drink and eat at the same time

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

Family and Friends

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

very small and alot better than expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

every couple of weeks I would stop losing weight, at first I was worried then remembered in group sessions that this does happen so I am ok with it

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes..