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

I first saw it on tv then had several friends have gastric bypass. My insurance didn't cover it so I thought it was out of the question. I did want it tho badly.

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

My insurance doesn't cover any type of bariatric surgery.

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

The meeting was awesome. Very informative.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I saw the cost was affordable.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't want a foreign object in my body (lap band)and I didn't want my intestines moved around so I thought the sleeve sounded like the best bet.

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?

I didn't really worry.

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 were fine.

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

Fine. Less than a week.

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

Yes as I said it was very informative.

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

I arrived at 7:30 am and was in surgery around 11:00 am. Back in my room by 12 ish. Up and walking no pain at all. Went home the next day by noon. Never took a pain pill at all.

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 did get dehydrated 2 weeks later but that was solved with an IV and never had any more problems.

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

I went to the mall 3 days after surgery. Was very tired but could get around fine.

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

50 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.

1st 2 weeks absolutley no food. 3rd and 4th week soft foods like scrambled eggs and cheese. After that I added in chicken and other meats. I really have not found anything that I can't tolerate now. All carbs should be off limits.

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

Below normal the first 2 weeks after 3 weeks I would say fairly normal and after 6 weeks completely normal

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

I take calcium, childrens chewable daily vitamins and get a B12 shot monthly.

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?

No side effects really. A little hair loss at 6 months but only lasted 2 weeks.

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

Nothing except maybe the IV before surgery the nurse hit a blood vessel and blood squirted everywhere!

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

Support groups with my surgeon.

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

After 2 years you can't see them at all

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Have had several. Will say this is not the end all solution. You have to work at it everyday.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really