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

TV commercial. Called to get info Thought this has to be my answer

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

It was not so bad although I felt it took along time. I was approved first time

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

He was extremly helpful I really felt comfortable with him. Be prepared have any quetions ready wrote down so that you will remember them

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Thats the one Dr suggested

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?

No fears. I felt I was killing my self anyway why not do the surgery and if it was Gods will then so be it.

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?

Family and friends were not as excited as I was Matter a fact my one sister had talked me out of surgery a year prior. But once my decsion was made they supported me through ever thing even if they did not want me to go through with surgery because of fears they had. My family and friends have been my strengh since surgery. They are as excited as me now that Ive lost weight and am doing great

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

I was out of work 6 weeks. They are a great company and supported me in my decisionn.

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

I did fine in the hospital it was nice. I was there 3 days with no family or friends not because they didn't want to be there but because it was so far away and they couldn't afford to miss work. I brought way to much, but I suggest good house slippers and a robe.

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

Other than some swelling in my feet I had no problems

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

Wore out.This was my first major surgery I didn't realize how much energy it took to even rise up out of a chair. Some pain but mainly this was my fault because I wouldn't take pain medication as I should have.

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

I did alot of resting in my recliner. Walking and breathing exercise's

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

4 and 1/2 hours. My fist couple visits were very tireing but well worth the lose I'm having

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.

My eating habits change on a daily basis. Things I tolerated one day could make me ill the nextThingts I tolerate well have been mashed pot., fresh fruits, egg beaters, and salads

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

Each day I recieve more and more energy. Take a few weeks ago I had a party where I danced most every song and was not tired or sore like in the past at my highest weight I would dance a few songs and I would be huffing and puffing my feet back and legs hurt for days afterwards. I play basketball ride a bike I have so much more energy.

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 still have occasional episodes

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

the anxiety you have the day of surgery

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

This site is all I have used

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

Very long and red. Yes I expected this

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None so far

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes they have been much more complimentry. They feel the have the right to ask me anything. They also feel they can touch me now, like a pat on back