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

My mother had gastric bypass surgery

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

I had no problems getting approved. I would encourage those who have been denied to fight, fight, fight!

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

It went very well. Do not be anxious.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Not being able to do physical activities. Leg and back pain all the time.

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 really did not have any fears.

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 very supportive.

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

She was not so encouraging. Not very supportive. I was off work for one month.

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

I hated the stay in the hospital. I was there for 3 days.

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?

After the first 2 weeks i was fine and had no pain or problems

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

Follow the diet!

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

I stayed with my mother due to weather conditions.

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.

I could not eat lettuce until about 7 months after my surgery. I still have a tough time with some meats.

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

Very limited.

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

Multivitamin

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. i just told my self it would get better

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

Pain after surgery.

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

Support Group meetings. Friends, family.

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

It is fading. Yes I expected it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a plateau at about 6 months that last for about 6 week. I am now losing again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

The are always complementing me.