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

The lady who did my nails had to done.

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

I really had no trouble. I would suggest that you deal with someone who knows about this type of surgery and always insist on talking to the same person each time. If you don't hear from them by the time they say you should, call and keep calling until you get an answer.

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

I only saw him once for about 10 minutes. His nurse takes care of everything. There is a conference for all prospective patients where everything is discussed.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was the best solution to the problem.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched all the procedures and this was the least invasive, the least dangerous, the cheapest and had the least amount of down 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?

None

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?

I told no one. I live by myself so know one had to know.

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

No one knew. I had it done over spring break and went back to work when everyone else did.

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

It was fine and I was there 2 days. Getting out of bed was the hardest part.

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

None

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

Just wanted it to hurry and get there.

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

After the first few days it was like I hadn't even had the surgery.

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

100 miles. I drove myself to Houston and drove myself home after I left the hospital.

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.

Dr. Molina suggests that his patients follow the Atkins diet and this is what I have done. I eat no more than 20 grams of carbs per day. That has made all the difference. There is virtually nothing I can't have if I want to cheat but I NEVER cheat. That is why I have had such success. I basically eat only protein. Eggs, meat, cheese, nuts.

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

It increased every day. Now I run five miles a day, lift weights, do all kinds of sports when I have time.

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

None

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 had none.

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

Getting out of bed for the first five days.

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

None

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

Less than an inch and almost invisible.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

From otober until march I didn't lose until I started running every day. I was almost at the weight that I should be at so it is very hard now to lose.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not my lose friends. But I think people who don't know me look at me differently or don't look at me at all.