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

FRIENDS WHO HAD THE SURGERY, AT FIRST I RESISTED AND SAID I WAS OK, BUT IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO REALIZE THAT I HAD A PROBLEM AND I HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

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

I didn't have any problems

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

Fine, I felt like he was a little condescending and in a hurry

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just felt it was time to be responsible for myself

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

mY HOSPITAL STAY WAS HORRIFIC. NO NURSING CARE, MY HUSBAND TOOK CARE OF ME, EVEN MY BASIC HYGEINE AND BATHING NEEDS. NURSES DID NOT EVEN ANSWER THE CALL BELL, NO NURSES' AIDES TO MAKE MY BED OR HELP ME GET UP. I WAS ON MY OWN. THANK GOODNESS FOR MY HUSBAND AND FAMILY.

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

nO COMPLICATIONS

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 OK, I KNEW IT WAS TIME

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

Very rough, so tired, easily exhausted -- trying to figure out what foods I could eat, and I could not tolerate the protein shakes because of my aversion to artificial sweetners -- had to find new protein sources, this is difficult.

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

I live in the same town as the hospital

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.

Protein shakes - no. Chicken -- throw it up every time. Red meat, same thing. No raw vegetables. I try chicken now and then with the same results. Eggs, cottage cheese, string cheese, ok. Small amount of coffee or tea. Watermelon is a lifesaver. Still cannot tolerate chicken after eight weeks. Fish is what I mostly eat -- shrimp (not fried). I miss Pepsi. Soft fruits -- strawberries, melon.

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

i HAVE NOT ATTENDED A SUPPORT GROUP YET BUT THERE IS ONE NEXT MONTH (2 MONTHS POST OP)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i HIT A PLATEAU AT ABOUT FIVE WEEKS POST OP, STAYED AT THE PLATEAU FOR ABOUT SIX DAYS, THEN CONTINUED MY POUND A DAY LOSS. I AM VERY ENCOURAGED SO FAR. Wish it would go faster.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really, Friends and family notice the weight loss.