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

TV ad and was scared about death a friend of mine had told me a horrible story about a friend of her that had died from stapling her stomach

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

It was a hard battle with the ins co but well worth the battle. Keep documentation of all of your hospitalizations and illnesses, get your Dr to help you with your ins co.

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

Scarey, I really didn't know what to expect and I was so used to failure! Ask the Dr every ? that you can and learn more about your Dr write down everything he tells you and don't be stubborn, he/she is the Dr for a reason!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My last son, I knew I would not live long enough to see him graduate or have a good life with him if I didn't do something and do something quick!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The Dr really decided for me, and weighed the the good with the bad for me, finally we came to the conclusion together.

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?

At first like I said earlier I was scared of dying however if I didn't do anything then I for sure would die!

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?

family supported me as much as they could I guess I would like a little more support, friends don't know and don't really have any friends. I was going to do this with or without anyones help I would have perfered a little more support and I should have talked it out a little more and included them in how real my feelings were!

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

I have been unemployed for 4 yrs due to my weight gain and depression

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

It was overwhelming and enjoyable and yes I was excited and glad I went

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

friendly people

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

no

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 couldn't sleep I was scared and excited all in one

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

stiff, sore and unable to do anything for a few days

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

80 miles, far but worth it, my real journey has just begun

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.

broth, water and more water! then it slowly changes to thin mashed potatoes Mmmm! but don't get to excited stay away from hard meat and graesy fatty meat you will regret eating anything to fast! DON'T FORGET THE WATER

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

walked a lil then gradually went from walking to riding a bike and walking 3-4 times a week, then Dr cut me back to 2 times a weeks because of loosing to fast

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

B-12 injections, iron, calcium, and daily 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?

still dealing with nausea only when I eat to fast or a lil tooo much, loss of hair due to the nutrition and sleep still a little bad not being able to sleep the whole night or trouble falling asleep

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

nothing was really bad it still out weighs the way things were before the surgery

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

None, I haven't been able to go to any kind of group meeting

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

I don't even notice it, I thought it would be more noticable

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Right now I am battling water gain and keep going back in forth with 5lbs and it has me a little more self concious about what I am eating

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I notice they talk to me alot nicer than before and I get more turning of the heads, especially the MEN