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

I first heard about the surgery through a friend that had surgery and who initiated me to do research on it.

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

Thanks god my insurance company approved me in about oe month. My insurance is HIP.

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

Dr. Flancbaum was very clear explainging the surgery procedure and answered all of my questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am a new born christian and I had my doughts. My sister not christian stated that if I was a christian God loved me the way I was. One day navigating on the internet I found a web site called Wendys WLS Story. Wendy had WLS and she was a christian thats when I knew that God had taken me to her web site!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Flancbaun wrote a book in which it explains all the diffrent procedures along with the pro and cons. I decided for the RYN because of the greater loss weight results and maintenace.

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?

To be some what fearfull is normal and with any surgery you have some complication and chances of dying. I beleive that It depends on your health, will, and of course your doctor.

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 and friends were and are very supportive I thank God for them.

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

I was unemployed at the time I had my surgery.

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

It was good.

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

Praise God! I had 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 fearfull, anxious, and scared. But with my prayes and family support I was able to cope with it.

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

Not hungry at all! Some pain not alot, tired, sleepy, thirsty!!!!

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

Not too far I live in the Bronx and my surgery was in Manhattan (New York City).

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 4 weeks all I had was liquids. After that I tried all kinds of mashed and puree foods. At that time I couold not tolerate pork. So far that was the only food that I did not tolerate. But after another month I was able to eat port. I find that rice does not sit or feels right. I could eat it without feeling nausious or sick but, it just sits in my stomach and I dont like the way I feel. I can eat EVERYTHING!

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

My activity level was poor. After the third month I felt pretty good with energy.

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

I take prenatal vitamins, vitamin D, and 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?

My most concern was my hair loss. It was not bad but, I have very thin hair some came out. I was afraid of being bald. Dr. said that I was not going to be bald because I did not have a protein difficiency. that is when you lose most or all of your hair. My hair loss or tining was due to the body reaction of the rapid weight loss taking place.

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

The worst part of the process was traing my self to eat slow and to drink later. I was a fast paced eater and drink with my meals.

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

I do not attend amy support group. I read and talk to several friends who had the surgery.

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

My scare is the size of my index finger. Not bad

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was some what worry about my rapid weight loss. I do not want to be skinny. At the fith month after surgery I weighed 155lbs and one month later I had the same ponds. The next month I lossed another 5lbs weighting 150lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes! some treat me great! But others think I have a deadly desease.