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

One of my friends had the surgery and did really well.. I became intwrested. So I started my research and was so amazed at the research and the technonlgy part of the surgery. Laproscopically is an A plus in my book.

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

Make sure you understand the criteria that your insurance requires. Whenever you talk to someone at the insurance company get there name,date,and record the conversation.Also make sure the nurse from your doctors office who will be responsible for getting your insurance clearance keep you informed as to meeting deadline dates

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

My first visit was very informative. Always take notes for questions later.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Once I completed my research on the type of surgery and my doctors track record I made the decision.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I needed a procedure that was permanent and didn't equire a foreign object to be maintained.

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 didn't have any fears I did extensive research and my 6 months of test,observations,psychological evaluation , nutrition and consultation provided security.

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 immediate family was concerned, but very supportive.

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

This was a very personal decision . Did't discuss it with them. My employer only knew that I had adominal surgery. I was off for 21 days because that was a choice I made to sty off.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

This was the best session that I've ever attended this particular session had models to show just what will happen to your stomach and what to expect during and after surgery. I was very glad that I attended and would recommend RNY to everyone I come incontact with.

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

Awesome.I was in the hospital a total 0f 3 days The care that I recrived and my surgeon visited me daily

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 so excited. I prayed a lot . I knew God had answered my prayer

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

Getting adjusted to the pouch and what I could tolerate and what I couldn't

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 couldn't eat pudding, no milk products Week three I was able drink Lactaid milk

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

Walked to mailbox with assistance then week 2 walk to corner. By week three 20 minutes at the gym

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

multivit, calcium caltrate ,iron, biotin, vitamin C, B12 ,B6

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?

Hair Loss 6months after surgery At first I was in state of shock,but reaalized I needed to increase my protein

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

Nothing

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

Belong to CathyWilson GroupVisited one at the hospital,but I wasn't impress Have started my own WLS support group online and at a physical address

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

Can't see them

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Stayed at one weight for about three weeks

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes