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

I knew a person who went throught it

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

I had very little problems. Dr Benbrahim office did everything for me and fought with the company to have the surgery done.

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

Fact finding mission . Just wanted to ask questions, and see how the Dr. was. get the most possible info that you are looking for, and ask questions, make yourself feel comfortable with the dr.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I did a lot of research and decided that this was right for me, and that was ready to change my life

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted to do what was best for me, and I wanted to make sure that it was something that made me stick with it.

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 thought the worst as I do with everything so when something small happens I am greatful that was all it was.

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 have the best supprt group a man could ask for family and friends knew that I researched this and took a long time to decide that this was for me

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

Well at first they weren't happy because of being out of work for a period of time. But since coming back and being much more happier and healthier they are on board with it.

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

The stay at Midstate was great. Came from surgery into a private room. The staff treated me like I was the only patient they had. I was there for a total of three days and that is counting the surgery day.

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

I did not have any complications of any type.

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 worried that something was going to go wrong and the surgery was going to be canceled

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

After I came home I was up and moving the next day and was walking around the house. The food intake was some what hard to take, but no pain what so ever

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

2 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 eating almost everything. But chicken. I know have only a small portion of food, still having trouble with taking in fluids.

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

after two weeks I was ready to move and do things. I now walk every day and bike ride every other day and joined a gym

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?

NONE

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

There hasn't been one

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

I go to a Bariatic support group every month and it has helped me. I am so much more out going and the other members give each other so much support. It's like having a family.

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

none

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

so far none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes people that never talked to me before are now going out of thier way and saying how good you look.