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

My sister have surgery about 15 years ago. After what I seen her go through, I knew I would never but myself through that.

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

Insurance would not pay for mine and I was no going to wait any longer.

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

Mine was good, have a list of questions, read everything you can about it before you go.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to start living again!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The one that suited my life style and one I could manage with out failing.

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 did not have any fears, I was very sure of my surgeon and keep a positive state of mind going into surgery.

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

I was off work 3 days, everyone has been great.

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

no

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 felt great

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

I was a little sore. Remember to slow down at meal times take your time and eat only the food giving in the diet plan.

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

40 min, it has not affect my aftercare.

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 have followed the diet giving to me by my surgeon and it have worked out great. off limit foods are tomatoes, pasta. I add a new food item monthly to see if I can tolerate it.

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

I found myself with more energy, as the weeks have gone by, my level of activity has started to pick up.

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

Multi-Vitamins and Biotin

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 hair loss right now it been about a month. I am 4 month out from surgery. One day at a time, using OTC products.

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

Scar are small, they are what I expected

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no