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

advertisments, seminars etc. A little scary but positive

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

No luck until I hit Medicare

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

Do your research first and have your list of questions. The only dumb question is the one you are afraid to ask. If you don't have good feelings about the surgeon find another one.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Insurance coverage and a sudden weight gain and increase in blood pressure.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Discussion with my surgeon and his advice then additional research on line.

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 did not go there. I could have a stroke or a heart attack or develope diabetes due to my obesity so these things were more frightening to me

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?

Fanily were great, I did not tell friends until after surgery and most are supportive but two are not so I am glad I did not tell them ahead of time.

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 employed

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Tes VERY helpful

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

I was there 2 days post surgery and my only complaint would be too many interuptions when I wanted to sleep. I took magazines etc but did not feel like reading or TV. Take shampoo, conditioner etc.

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

No complications

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Excited, like a huge weight lifted because I knew the beginning was almost here. Spend the time getting ready, buy your post op food, discuss medications with your Dr and pharmacist because you will not be able to swallow large pills. I also made several soups and froze them

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

Tired, that was my only real problem and I was warned by my Dr. and all the online research I did. I know some people have problems but I was lucky. I returned to work on the 5th day and the gym on the 8th day. My work is not strenuous and I was careful at the gym.

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

My surgery was at my local hospital which is a Center of Excellence for weight loss surgery so it was very convenient

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.

For the first 3 weeks it was liquid meaning soups, applesauce, oatmeal, cottage cheese, jellow etc. plus the protein shakes. Hopefully you will have tried a few shakes pre surgery. After the 3weeks I was allowed to eat anything I wanted. Steak, chicken breast were hard to digest but canned beef stew was fine. The thing to remember is very small bites and chew, chew, chew then wait before the next bite.Slow is the key. You must get the required protein in

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

I had no restictions after a week so my fatigue determined my level of activity

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

Multi vitamin chewable (Bariatric Advantage) for the first 3 weeks then I started B12 also BA and Vit D. I think My Dr. does blood work at 3 months then I may start calcium and or iron.

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?

The only side effect has been gas like indigestion when I eat too quickly or eat too much. Then I just wait it out for about 10-15 minutes

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

I am only 4 weeks post op and so far nothing has been bad.

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

The hospital has a group that meets twice a month and it is wonderful. They have a bariatric manager who coordinates but it is really run by the people. I also use "obesityhelp.com" all the time and have made friends there I am lucky to live close to the hospital that provides so much.I think this is VERY important

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

I had laproscopic so only have 6 tiny scars

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My loss has been fairly slow overall.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet as loss is not visable yet