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

I found out thru a friend and I was ready to jump on board.

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

I did not get insurance approval. We had to pay cash.

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

My first visit with Dr Spivak was so great. He made me feel like he cared. And he did not make me feel like I was in a heard of people. He listiend to my concerns and he answerd all my questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Just becuase I was tired of being over weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By talking with a friend and the Dr

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 have none

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 did not tell family or friends jsut my husband and a person that is a friend that has had it done

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

I am self employeed

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

The stay in the hospitla was so great. Everyone there made me feel so great. I only stayed for that day and went home the same day. Teh msot improtant thing to bring is a pillow.

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 felt very nervous but I knew it was going to be great. I delt with it by talking to the support group

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

The first few days you will be very sore. But after the sixth day you will feel so much better

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

About thirty minutes

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 only in my first week but I can eat anything soft. The first 48 hours was liquids.

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

The first few days I had no activity level. But by the fifth day I felt so much better

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

I take the chewable centrum

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?

I was only nauseated after surgery. That was it

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

Just not feeling well after waking up from surgery

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

I have the supprt group of Dr Spivak office

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

it is very small

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no