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

From Dr.Rudd

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 really have any trouble with my insurance they approved me the first time

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

Dr.Miller is great he will take the time to answer all your questions & he makes you feel very comfortable with having made the descision to have the surgery. He also used to a military doctor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Not being able to work or do the things that I love to do

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By talking to Dr.Miller & my family

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 was'nt really afraid of dying or the surgery itself I was more afraid of the after part but I'm doing good now.

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 was very supportive of my descision. I wouldn't change anything. They are still very supportive.

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

I don't work.

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

Centennial is an awesome hospital. Bring chap stick

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?

I was really nervous but I was also excited too. I relieved my anxiety by talking about it to others

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

It's no walk in the park it hurts like hell & your incision will start to itch like crazy but everyday you will feel a bit better though at first will may feel hopeless & helpless but you need to drink your water & walk, walk, walk

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

One Hour did not affect my aftercare

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 week is pretty rough you are only allowed to have broth, water, Jello, & sugar free popsicles

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

very low

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

2 flintstone vitamins daily tums daily & an iron supplement & pepcid

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?

Sleep disturbance it's been 4 weeks now but I still go to sleep early & wake up early instead of sleeping late. I have also experienced dumping syndrome it's not fun so far I have only had it 3 times but you really do learn your lesson & avoid what made you sick in the first place.

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

the pain just after waking up

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

The support group at Centinnail Medical Center. It is very important that you attend & it is very helpful you can meet other people that are experiecning the same problems as you are. It also makes dealing with the change for your body easier.

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

It goes from the bottom of my breast bone down to my belly button. I thought it would be worse than it is I doubt it will leave much of a scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateau's are a pain in the butt & can be very discouraging but you just have to work a bit harder to lose the weight

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Since my surgery I have gotten alot more attention which is kewl & kinda weird cause your not use to it & I dont feel as self conciosous as I did.