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

I was reading on the Saint Joseph East website when I came across the WLS section.I thought it might be worth looking into.

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

The surgeon's office took care of everything for me.I filled out the paperwork and it went from there.

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

He was very friendly ,answered all my questions.Put me at ease.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to be more healthier so in the future I could try to conceive a child.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Discussed it with my surgeon and he advised me which one would be best for me.

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 higher chance of dying by not having the surgery.It was a risk I was willing to take.I trusted my surgeon.

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 initially thought I was kidding,then they found that I was serious.They were supportive,they all lived in a different state than I did so it was harder for them to be supportive since they didn't understand what I was going through.

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

I wasn't employed at the time of my surgery.

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

I was well taken care of by the staff.I was there about 2 days.Basic tolitries,pajamas,brush.

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

No,not a single one.

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 excited,ready to get it done.

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

I was in pain for about 2 weeks.Continued the liquid diet for a few days then went to pureed.It was a bit overwhelming ,but I was never hungry.I had pain meds if I needed them.

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

About an hour from home.It didn't.

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 the beginning it was liquid,then pureed,soft,meat veggies,starches.Each at different periods of time.Sugar was off limits.I could only eat very little in the beginning.Over time it has increased.

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

Not very active,was very tired.Would do light walking.

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

vitamin c,prenatal,b-12,folic acid,iron,calcium citrate,biotin,fish oil.

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?

vomiting,some dumping,not much.hair loss.I take biotin and use nioxin shampoo for the hair loss.Try to watch what i eat to avoid dumping.

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

Learning to eat small meals having head hunger.

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

Went to a few support group meetings then moved out of state and lost support.

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

very small.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yeah