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

I just started investigating things myself

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

I had no problems with getting insurance approval, it was very non stressful

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

the surgeon was very open and honest

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt like I had no other choices anymore

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I know I didn't want open completely up, and I knew I wanted something permenant

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?

My fears were really out of control at times. Had lots of anxiety, fear of dying, no support, not being able to follow the things I had to after surgery.

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 family wasn't very supportive before or after surgery. It wasn't until they saw I was actually doing well. I have been able to follow all the rules and stick to all my goals.

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

hospital stay was great, besides for the pain. I was only there two days

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

Yes. They cut into my main artery or vein, something, and I had lots of blood loss and it took a lot longer to do my surgery and my family was very scared.

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

supported my stomach alot. It was difficult to cough or laugh. Glad the actually surgery was over.

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

Lots of fluid!!! Lots of walking, sugar free jello and water

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

about an hour. that was great not to have to travel a long distance afterwards.

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.

No solids. Pureed food was gross! No sugar, watching lables took a while to get use to. No red meat, that hasn't been to bad, but sometimes chicken, turkey, and tuna get old. Lots of protein can be very difficult!

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

Limited in the begining, but tried to walk as much as possible.

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

calcium citrate plus vitamin D, 1000 im of vitamin D, and a multivitamin

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?

so far no side affects.

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

Not thinking the surgery was going to be as painful as it really was.

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

support meetings once a month and it is great

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

can't hardly notice my scars now. Only have five little marks

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

n/a

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet