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

I first found out about bariatric surgery from a friend.

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

My experience with getting the approvel for surgery was that I was very anxious/nervous, wondering if I'd get approved? My advise for others is to not let it go more then 2 weeks - follow up with them.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was good. Ask all the questions you want, it's your body.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My final decision to have surgery was that I did not want to die young from morbid obesity, and wanting to be around my family for a long.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided the procedure with my surgeon.

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 do not fear complications/dying from the surgery. If others feel this way then they need a good support system.

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/friends are very supportive, and behind me 100%.

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

I've informed my employer, and they are supportive.

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

My stay in the hospital was good. I was there for 4 nights/5 days. The most important thing to bring is a wooden spoon to use as an arm extention when you clean youself after going to the bathroom.

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

I had no complications from 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?

In the weeks after I got my surgery day I was on a weekly count down. Beleive it or not it went by fast.

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

The first few weeks are hard. Your very sore. But, everday gets better, and better.

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

I travel about 100 miles one way. It did not affect my aftercare at all, I just allow myself about 2 hours to get there.

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.

The first 3 weeks are the liquid phase, then the next 3 weeks are the liquid/pureed/soft phase, and then the soild phase after 6 weeks. Fats/sugars are off limits.

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

I started exercising 6 weeks after surgery.

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

I take Bariatric Advantage Nutritional Supplements.

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?

My side effects are vomiting when I eat to fast, and I have dumping side effects when I eat any fats/sugars.

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

For support I use the internet, books, and family/friends.

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

My scar is 8 inches long, and healing nicely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No