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

my friend had it done, but i was very optimistic because of what she had to go through. i thought if i want to eat something im gonna eat it, and not have to worry about the side effects

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

i didnt have any problems with approval. the doctors office did it all for me

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

he put my mind at ease. answered all my questions and actually listened to me .. to get the most out of your meeting write down all questions you have before hand so you dont forget

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

tired of being over weight and i had to do it for health reasons

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i knew what one i wanted before talking to my surgeon.. i researched for 8 years

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 didnt have any fears,

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?

they supported me in my descion

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

she was hesitant, but knew i had to have it done. i was on and off of work due to health issues so i was of work before the surgey but went back to work 3 weeks after surgery

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

my hospital stay was a breeze. the staff were so caring and nice. they answered all my questions and helped me when i needed help i was in the hospital 2 days

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

yes, and im still having complications, and i am dealing with them the best i can. the surgeon made the stomach to small so sometimes i cant keep anything down and i end up in the hospital

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 really hungry, i cried alot, and took alot of my frustations out on my ex husband. it was tough but i got through it

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

i didnt think i would have hunger pains, but boy was i wrong. i was hungry all the time, and wanted to eat eat eat, but new i couldnt.

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

3 hours

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.

well i cant eat alot of things still and its been a year, i can eat soft foods, such as oatmeal, potatoes, jello and that stuff, im limited with what i can eat because of how small my stomach is

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

low

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

b-12, calcium, iron, 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?

nausea, vomitting, dumping. i still have them and its been a year

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

being in and out of the hospital because of how small my stomach is

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

i didnt go to the support groups, only because they are 3 hours away

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

i had the lap ryn so i only have 5 little scars

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes i have, they treat me like a person now