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

Was offered a place in a research program, randomized into the surgery line. I was a bit nervous as I had hoped for the 2 years free food, but was not lucky enough. However it was explained to me the long term chances of loosing the weight and keeping it off were better with the surgery, so I felt better with this info.

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

N/A

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

Professor O'Brien was very professional and understanding of my feelings. Explained everything and answered all my questions throughthe different stages. Now post op I see him monthly for fills and followup discussions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I consider myself one of the lucky ones. Had been thinking about it for awhile and then this oppotunity came along. Then I answered an ad in the local paper wanting to hear from people with moderate obesity. After many tests we (100) were randomized into free food or operation.5 months from answering ad to operation day

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

randomized in research project

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?

did not have any fears, had complete trust in surgeon, plus BMI was only 32, so did not really think I was a high risk candidiate.

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 supportive before and afterwards

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

Had been working casual up until op. had 2 weeks of work. If I had a job sitting down I could have gone back to work after 1 week.

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

Hospital stay was fine. Nurses great, only in over nite. Didn't need any thing special. wore a loose dress in and out. would not have been able to wear pants as one incision was on pant line, took about 1 month until I could wear pants. Knickers were ok.

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?

Very happy and thankful for the oppotunity had many last suppers, put on 8lbs in the month before surgery very nervous the night before surgery, got pretty drunk sitting at home being scared.

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

That you are sore for the first few days, that you can only drink fluids, not hard to do though. That you cannot go to Mcdonalds!!! and that you get tired easily. And that EVERYONE asks have you lost weight yet!!

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

20 minute drive

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.

Fluid for the first month then mush food for another month. no problems with either. now 3 months later I am not totally compliant with food choices so weight lose has slowed. Cannot eat red meat, bread, dried apricots, salmon, tuna, Mcdonalds, Pizza,KFC etc Most other foods ok but eat slowl.

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

pretty good. I was at home for 2 weeks. Got tired easily though. I started walking in water at the local pool on day 10 ( against docters orders)

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

Just a daily Vitamin tab .

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?

No side effects

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

none

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

follow is through research program and can telephone them at any time. also follow up with dietican weekly.

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

have 6 scars 4 vey small and 2 about 3 inches long they are fine

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At a plateau time for the past month. Body shape is changing, weight lose has slowed.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

well, I feel better and walk quicker and am happier so I think people respond to that.