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

advertising on tv yes I had to do something and this was the only thing left to do. office was nice and clean to visit.

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

had no problem with the insurance just be patent because it take a while. and yes go for it.

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

it was very nice doctor was very friendly [ask questions]

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

getting to heavy needed some help food was running me I wasn't running it.

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?

no I didn't fear about surgery because I didn't have alot of high risk like blood pressure and so on only my weight so for me no big deal.just let my daughter know that I love her before surgery.

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 mom was not for this and I told her I didn't care about what they sad I'm still doing it.now they think its great how good I'm doing.my

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

my employer thought that was great that I could have this dont not only once I lose this weight I'LL be more energy. not that I'M lazy now.because I'm a hard worker.

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

hospital was ok staff member were under standing. bring slippers

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

no complication from surgery every thing was find .

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

right before my surgery my stomack felt like butterflys but didn't stop me.

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

not alot of pain only getting in and out of bed thats the worst.at first I felt why didn't I just not eat so much I would of not had to do this.that only because I was thinking of real food because the first two week are liquids.but don't let that stop you it goes fast.

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

I had about 1 and 1/2 hour drive.

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.

its funny you dont look at food like you use to.grease food and sugar food are out. and you know that will upset your belly if you have it so you dont even want to tempt it.and finding out there is alot of sugar free stuff out there that ont that bad like it use to be. snack wells cookies are great the shortbreads are alot like girls scout cookies if you haven't tryed them do so so good my family eats them all up before I get any.

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

started walking just around my block the first day aftter returning home. for about 1/2 week then took about 10 min walk kept adding more time as I felt like it.now I'm 6 weeks into it and walk about 40 min. 6 days a week.fell alot lighter on my feet.

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

bugs bunny sugar free vitamins

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?

just dont eat something you are not subpost to have other wise your stomack real hurts and your rubbing it all afternoon.

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

nothing real.

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

I wish I could go to some support groups I work nights so cant go to any if any body knows of any day time meetings in the waukesha or milw areas let me know thanks.

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

not to bad about 10 inches long only because I had to have my gall ballbader removed too.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

only during my monthly I didnt lose much that week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes people say my aditude changed and they said I'm looking great.