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

From my step mom who has had the surgery.

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

I was nervous, but they approved right away

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

Make tons of eye contact, he will remember you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Wanting to be healthy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew which one I wanted by reading stuff online.

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?

The same fears everyone has I suppose. Mainly of the IV but after Surgery I soon discovered it was the pain and discomfort for about a week.

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 husband was supportive so was my family. People at work not at all, but then again they do not know of my struggles with weight all my life.

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

They did not have much to say and I liked it that way

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

The hopsital was great. Bring comfy jammies.

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

Yes, I was sent home on oxygen for about a week.

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

I am still only 2 1/2 weeks out. Emotions flying high, excited, nervous, sad etc

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

Pain, I slept in a recliner and used my heating pad and pain pills a lot!

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

30 min

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.

Oh God too long of a story. I am still learning.

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

The first 4 days not very much. After that I forced myself to get up and cook and clean and go shopping, best thing in the world were afternoon naps!

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

2 flinstones vitamins every day until 1 month out

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?

Trouble sleeping, slept in a recliner

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

Breathing with all the pressure from gas

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

2 times a month

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

No pain or discomfort or infection. I have 6 instead of 5 though

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

n/a

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes as if i am fragile