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

I always knew about it and was in a support group for over 15 years. It was an alternative to use.

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

No real problems though I was told GHIis the hardest.

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

Just listen and ask as many questions as you have

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Having diabetes, High BP, High cholesterol

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The one that could be reversed and if it did not work I could go further.

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?

Have had no fears at all.

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?

Everyone around me was great and supportive. Always be honest and up front and do what is right for you and you alone.

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

My boss and coworkers we all for it and said that it will be the new me.

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

My stay was good... Only over night... Bring your own pillow... lol

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

None

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

More like 2 weeks... I wanted those days to go fast... I so wanted it to happen

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

This is only my second week but its like nothing ever happened... Not hungry at all and never had any pain.

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

1 hour away no problems

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 followed what the Dr. said for the first week. After that I accelerated by 1 week. I needed something of substance so I went to week 3 and skipped week 2.....

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

I feel great, up, all over the place.

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

Childrens multi vitamines... chewable... tastes great

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?

not a thing

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

The pre-op testing is the worst....

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

Not at that point yet

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

The few I have only 1 week later are almost gone

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

N/A

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

N/A