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

I saw it on t.v. I never thought I would have it done because i was of the impression it was dangerous.

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 problem's getting approved. It only took 12 day's.

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

Dr. Arreola was very nice and took his time.He answered all of my question's. He also went over the history of wls and explained each kind and drew a picture of each one. He covered alot of information. I was very pleased with my first app.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

several people i know had it done and that is when i began researching it. I have been researching for about a year now. I'm tired of being tired. I am sick of medication's, injection's, not having nice clothes to wear, not having any sex drive due to medication's,and not being able to do the thing's i enjoy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched each one and talked to different people who have had wls already. I knew i would have to have open RYN because of adhesion's from previous surgery's.

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'm not worried about complication's. I had surgery in 1993 and had major complication's but you just deal with it and make it through. I just had major surgery in January 2003 for cancer and i came through with flying color's. The Dr. was even amazed at my recovery. As far as dying, well my grandfather alway's said, "If you're meant to be shot, you'll never be hung." I guess i truly believe in that. I have faith in God that he will bring me through this and if he choose's not to then it was my time.

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 was very supportive and most of my friend's were too. There were a few friend's that were against it. They were convinced it was too dangerous.

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

My supervisor was supportive. I was only off work for 3 week's.

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

I was in the hospital from Thursday untill Monday. I received very good care. The nurse's were wonderfull. They were very attentive and caring. I couldn't have had any better care.

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

No complication's at all.

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

Very anxious.

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

I did really well. I was driving by day no. 8. I was back to work in 3 week's. I just did like the Dr. said.

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

About 30 miles

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.

It has only been 5 week's since surgery and so far I haven't had any trouble with any food's I have tried.

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

Within 2 week's I was doing everything I did before surgery. I did exceptionally well.

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

2 Flinstone complete vitamin's per day and 2 Tum's per day. Occasional protein shake.

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?

In the 5 week's since my surgery I haven't had any side effect's.

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

Having blood drawn and the gastric tube being removed.

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

There is a weekly support group but due to my working schedule i can't attend.

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

My scar is 12 inche's long and required 44 staple's. The Dr. said it would be much smaller but I knew it would be big due to problem's with adhesion's in past surgeries.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some people have told me I look different but haven't been treated any different.