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

On the news I heard about the surgery and thought about it for 2 years. My first impressions werent that great until I researched all I could

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

I went through tricare the military insurance and got approved right away

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

Kind of rushed and I was nervous. Write down a list of questions to bring with you and do not leave the office until you are satisfied with the answers.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being overweight so I opted for the surgery

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The Dr decided 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 put the fears out of my mind and focused on the positive aspects of 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 husband wasnt too happy about it simply bc he did not want anything to happen to me, but he stood by my side through whatever choice I made, and he was very loving and concerned. My family had different reactions as well as my friends, some agreed or didnt agree but either way they stood by me. After surgery they were all worried bc I became very very ill.

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

Being in a german hospital was an experience in itself. The Germans so things ALOT differently than we do, and I wasnt sure of a lot of things so I was really nervous. I was there for a week. Bring pads, baby wipes and all of your tolieteries and comfortable slippers, also if there is no phone in your room, money to use one.

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

I was sick for 2 months after surgery, I developed an ulcer and I found out I had pancreantitus since 2001. I was very ill and felt like I wanted to just die! I just let the drs take care of me as best as they could

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 was hoping jan 15th would come soon

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

I was sore throwing up and diarehea really bad.

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

2 hours away was the hospital, it didnt affect my aftercare I saw the dr's on base afterwords

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

no energy at all, I just wanted to sleep, but then again I was very ill

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

iron, a daily vitamin supplement and Ive been trying to get extra protein but the powder mix is nasty!

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?

all of the above were really bad, it still happens from time to time and I cope by just laying down until it passes

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

I should have waited to have the surgery in the states.

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

no support groups right now but Im looking for some it is really important to be able to talk to people who had gone through it already

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

Some of the scars arent so bad

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

You go through why did I do this to myself, and it happens later on from time to time as well.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really