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

My wife had it done first

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

I am on medicare I did not hve to get pre approved

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

Great he told me what to expect.He told me of the benifts. You really need to talk to the billing staff for all details.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I need to get rid of some health problems . : i e type 2 diabets 'sleep apane

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I felt more comfortable with lap band less evasive. Personal preferance.

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 I new to many peaple that had it done

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 did not tell anyone till the day before.

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

retired

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

Quick in by 10 out by 2

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?

a little anxiety but I new it was best to get htis done

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

A learning experiance what to do what not to. I did not have any pain

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

60 miles

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.

^6 weeks out I hve not had bread or rice not been able to eat some meats unless I had sauce.

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

Good and getting better daily

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

B complex' multi vitamin, B 12

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?

None

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

The staples pulling on my fat gut which lasted only a week

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

Going to a group this week

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

small & fadding

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet