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

My friend told me about some she knew that had it sone and how it helped her. I was scared to death to even attempt it.

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

Office sent letter and I was approved

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

he was very inofrmative

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Couldnt handle not being able to move

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

The stay was comfortable as possible, only draw back is that I was not in a private room. Lip balm, that helped my lips they were so dry they were cracking...

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

None as of yet...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?

Wasnt that nervous until in the room to be prepped thats when I think the reality kick in. I just prayed to GOD that things would be alright and off I went.

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

alittle discomfort, and alot of rescrictions

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

15 minutes, did not affect my 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.

first i was on protein drinks and baby food for the first 3-4 weeks, after that I was able to eat anything but Veggies, red meat fruit and sugar

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

Great havent felt this wonderful in years

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

liguid multi-vit, b-12 and tums

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?

did not have any

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

not being able to move well with the staples they tend to pinch when you move certain ways

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

There is a support group meeting everyother Tuesday and everyother Thursday...This is very important for aftercare

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

it has shrunk 2 inches since the surgery...my husband said what do you expect? your stomach is like if you put a line with a marker on a balloon, and as the balloon gets smaller so does the line.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet but I am only 5 weeks

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!!!