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

My cousin had the sugery and I just watched how she did and then decided to have it done. It wasn't like the horror stories you sometimes hear.

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

The Bariatric Treatment Center took care of all the insurance, I called once to make sure they had all the paperwork needed and that was all.

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

My first visit went very good I had acouple of questions and he answered them all. I would say if you have anything to ask that would be the time to do so. Make a list and just run through it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Wanting to live the second half of my life not in pain and being able to keep up with my grandchildren.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

That is the only one Bariatric Treatment Center offers at Beliveder.

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?

Not to listen to those how don't know what they are talking about, find someone that has the sugery or check the web and resource 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?

They had mixed feelings, mostly because they didn't know to much about it. No they are very supported of me now, I think they were just scared.

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

They knew I was having the sugery and were ok with it as long as I was under the doctors care. I was off for 8 weeks.

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

I was fine, I was in for 4 days. A pillow, and A CD player so you can listen to them while in the hospital.

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

No not at all.

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

sore at first then things got better I didn't have andy anxiety.

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

Week one was slow going. Then I got to moving more and started walking and it got better from there on. Take things slow at first don't just jump in there and try to do everything and listen to what the doctor tells you.

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

About 3 1/2 hours away, Not a problem because the ride was fine.

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 started out on liquids then went to full liquids I had alittle bit of a problem with milk at first, but I just started taking lactate to help with it and now I can eat milk products with out a problem. I am now 6 weeks and I am eating different things, so far onions are the onlyu thing that bother me. I stay way clear of high fat and sugar I have not had any dumping and don't want it eithor.

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

slow at first, but that to gets better as the weeks pass.

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

2 sugar free bugs bunny chewable vitamins.

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?

I have had no side effects yet.

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

I had to remind myself to take things slow and easy, and that for me was hard because I am one to jump in and get things done right away and leaving things undone was hard.

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

There is no support group in Decatur yet but I have my cousin and my best friend to talk to about anything because we are all bonded by the sugery.

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

Not bad at all, I put vitamin e on it to help with the healing.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had one plateau so far and I had to tell myself that this is par for the course and not to get to upset and just keep doing what I have been and it did pass.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

All my friend and so happy and can notice from the start my weight lose and they are all very suportive to.