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

From my primary doctor i was scared to death

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

After 3rd time being denied I got the call and I was elated but could not believe it

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

Just speak up any concerns write down or fax to the dr's office before appt that way they can answer all or nurse will before he sees you, i was nervous the first visit because the tube they pull out it hurts for a few seconds

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

my a1c was too high and blood pressure was rising

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

the dr did

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 fear abt waking up in icu with tubes down my throat and a mask on me. We had one of the represntative talk to us and we had a subliminal message on a tape that kept rewinding doing surg. with earphones on

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?

No one of family was here I had a couple of friends the day of surg. my dghtr was in nc at time y husband had passed away at a hospital so she could not handle me being in there

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

The boss try to talk me out of it. They heard bad things and said it was an easy way out.. But, it is not a easy way out this is forever

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

It was ok.. I was there about 6 days my sodium and blood level was down. Talking to other patients that were there that had the srg. and had some complications

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

The second moth i was throwing up and they had to balloon my stomach open. Ater 2 yrs still could not keep food down . there was a stitch that did not disolve that was irating . I just drank alot of ginger tea and tried different food

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

weak and i saw a psycholigist who help me deal with the first few months

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

Just follow all the procedures given to you. Drink as much water and if cant exercise all at once walk around the table on comericals.

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

not far

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 could not have anything cold or hot just room temp. Could not eat chicken taht much. pork no way.. beef if chooped fine or puree i could some. i ate shrimp. protein shakes herbal teas.. after months then i tried different meats with diffrent flavors and spices

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

at first the level was very low . But, I gradually worked up to 2 miles aday walking

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

multi-calicium,cq-10,b-12 shot,iron

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?

nausea vomiting i even have some of the probelm now. hair loss I started using garnier length and strength shampoo and conditioner and folic acid vit b6 after a couple of mos it grew back

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

Fear not knowing the unknown

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

The surgeon had support group I listened to everyone else's difficulties and complications how they dealt with it

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

thin line not as bad as i thought i had open

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i had plateau about a yr after surg for abt 6 mos was frustrated but dropped fast.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some