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

my daughter had it first i was scred for her , then i took the plunge myself and very happy

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

i had medicare and medicaid

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

you need to ask alot of wuestions

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

my daughter had it and did fine

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

just research

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 fears but my helath was bad. so take the chance.

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?

my family was great, and supportive, its a new me.

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

i didnt work i was disabled but no longer

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

my stay was good. i was there 3 days open rny..chap stick breath mints . stock up beofre surg with protein drinks and soup.

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

i had a stitch that did not dissolve for 7 wks .

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

good i was shopping on the 4th day they said to walk.. its very important so you dont get blood clots.

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

it takes time to get used to your new eating habits. but so worth it.

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

i was 15 miles away

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.

you have to eat what the dr tells you soups work protein drinks soft foods. sugars are off limits unless you want to be sick. its not bad you find you get to the point of slot of foods you would binge on you wont want any more.

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

i shoped went to a party and took my soup my level was great.

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

i take a chewable vitamin by centrum and also 1800 mgs of calcium daily and vitamin b shots monthly

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?

nausia is a problem when i eat foods i know make me sick, dumping is rare for me no hair loss.

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

getting of the bed the first couple of times in the hospital in three days i loss 11 pds and not hungry at all

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

i use web sites and it is helpful

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

the scar is no big deal i knew what it was like

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

ive had some times where i dont see a loss i dont worry about it

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes i get respect and many compliments