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

I had surgery 12 years ago and lost 100 lbs and then had a revision recently. I had maintained this loss for the 12 years.

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

Confusing and horrible at times. Insurance companies don't know their head from a hole in the ground. One representative couldn't tell you the same story that another told you 5 minutes later. We pay alot each month to be shifted from one person to another and then no answers.

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

Excellant. Dr. Huse is wonderful.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Co-morbidities

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was a no brainer..a RUY revision.

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?

None

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?

Worried about surgery..but understanding.

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

Happy for me and willing to assist me to have it done.

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

Good care, good staff. Personal care items like shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and brush..

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?

Anxious and excited

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

Lots of energy but had to remind myself that I just had surgery.

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

15 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.

I am just 1 week post op so I am on full liquids

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

High...

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

B1, B12, Calcium, 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?

Still too early

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

The wait to get it done.

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

We have different groups from New to month out plus a cooking class and a exercise class and they are located all over our state.

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

Smaller than my first

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Still new

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Still new