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

went to a meeting on the subject..and to be a support for my friend...at first i said this surgery was not for me...but guess what i change my mind.

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

my 1st meeting with the surgeon was very infomive...he gave me so much info..and a package to go along with it...to read over..then follow thru with getting preapproved..by going to the dietian, pshy. getting auth. letter from pcp the only thing i had left was to get the blood work..which i did today...so i should be all set by next week to get approved...make sure you follow thur with everything the dr. tell u to do.. get as much done before u go so when u have the 1 meeting you will have all your question and p/w with u. and 1/2 the battle is done..

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

a girl at work had it done. she is now a good friend. when i was thinking about the surgery she told another girl to give me her number to call her with any question...but i waited till she got back to work because i didn't want to bother her while she was recouping. she now has lost too date 55 lbs and she is 2 month out..and she looks good...she is like my support. which when asking her all the question..it kinda made me decide to do the surgery...i may not be like her pain free and had a pretty easy time of it..lucky her...but i hope to be..

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i pretty much knew from i would have an open rny due to my size...and plus my surgeron does a combine of open with lap...so your opening is only about 5 inches long...will see...

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 put it in god hand at this point...i'm scared but if i stay the way i am..i die from be overweight..so i figure i'll take the chance and hope by doing what the dr. tells me..and going thru so many test like cardiology, pulmonary, gi series, ultrasound of the abdomen and chest x ray with all kind of blood work should help ...but i'll do to be healthy...

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?

i only have one brother left...and at 1st he was not too happy about it...but i kinda told him..i have to do this for me..he thin..doesn't have this problem.. but once i went over everything with him he was supportive..and will be going to my dr. appt with me just in case i do have problems...and my step son will help me out. my friend were great about it and very very supportive...but also concern...they want to make sure nothing happen to me. i think at this time i don't think i would have change anything..by telling people only lets them know what your doing...so if something should go wrong...

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

my hospital stay was ok...could of been better...some of the nurses aids were rude but just leave me alone and i was find..was there about 2.5 days..and i just brought myself to the hospital.

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

i was lucky i have had no problems with my surgery(knock on wood)

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 excited when i found out my surgery date was and i was also just a little scared...it was a big change but i was willing to take. i cope with the anxiety with the help of my great friend...who talk to me and help me out...they were great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

i was doing ok...walking and moving around...the eating part was a very very big change...--people are different...and i couldn't tell you what to expect in the 1st 2 weeks...i real did not have a lot of pain...some people do...i just kept on getting up and walking around...if not outside but in the house also...

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

i travel 20 miles...and it did no affect my aftercare....due to the dr is 15 min. on the back rds..

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

i able to do alot of thing but i just can't lift anything...over 5 lbs.

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

yes i take vitamins and calcium pill

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?

VOMITING...oh boy...the only time i did is when i assume that when i finish my pills i was done taking them...and it cause me to vomit for 2 days and i saw the dr..and asked if i was still taking them..once i went back on them i was fine....

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

NOT EATING>>>>>>

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

we have one that meets every other week in waterbury..which is great to meet and talk to other people....

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

only 5 inches long...and it is what i expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none so far//

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes...they are so happy for me...and keep telling me how great i look..