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

I found out about it on the internet. I didn't even consider it at first.

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

My insurance experience was great, no problems at all.

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

It was rather brief, the next one was better because I was approved for the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of dieting and regaining the weight back after such hard work.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

the recovery time was a big issue

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 had a lot of fears, I had a friend who died from this procedure 2 weeks before I was scheduled. It was a emotional rollercoaster and the hardest decision I ever had to make in light of the tragedy.

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 husband thought it was very extreme but was very supportive of my decision.

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

The hospital stay was 2 days and flew by. They provide you with everything you need except chapstick.

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

I developed a infection 1 week out, there was a lot of pain and the insicion site exploded. After that happened the pain got gradually better.

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 got more energy about 8 weeks out. The emotional issues I am still faced with.

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

The first week expect to sleep in the lazy boy, getting in and out of bed is hard. Also you just lie on your back, which is a problem if you are a side sleeper. You just need to go slow for the first few weeks.

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

I traveled 1 hour for my surgery and 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.

In these 8 weeks I have no tolerance for chicken, rice or apples. Those seem to be the only off limit things to me.

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

The first 5 weeks my energy level was down quite a bit, it is gradually getting better.

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

I take a multivitamin, b12, iron once a week, and potasium every 2 weeks.

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?

Most of my vomiting was from chicken or eggs. You feel real nausous about 15 minutes after eating something upsetting. Once you throw up you feel normal again and can probably eat again.

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

The worst part was the first 3 weeks with pain and in my case infection. After that there are emotional issues to deal with.

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

Right now there is none. I am trying to get a few people together in the surrounding neighborhoods.

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

I hap lap rny, the scar is not bad at all.