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

My friend had in Sept '10 - Had always thought about it

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

It was easy - great insurance program. Start with your insurance company first to see if you are covered, then go to a information session to the Dr. you plain on going to

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

Meet and greet. Discussed which surgery I wanted and why. He explained what he would be doing. Why he would be doing it. Ask questions - even if you think they are silly

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was time - I tried everything and was sick on failure. I am not a failure and my surgery will bring me the success I want

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The Lap-Band and the Lap-Sleeve was something that I just was not personally interested it. The RNY was my first choice years ago.

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. My only fear is that I won't loose weight and that I was going to wake up in the middle of my surgery (it didn't happen thank God LOL)

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 only told my family - no friends - except for ones that would know I was going for my short-term disability at work.

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

They were happy for me

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

I didn't feel alone anymore

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

3 days. Toothbrush and Chapstick.

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?

Tired - but couldn't sleep. Not hungry - but made myself drink my protein

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

You'll be tight from the incisions and itchy!

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

15-20 minutes

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.

Still on liquids right now

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

low-moderate, walked around the house alot

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

2 Multi-Vitamins with 18mg of Iron. 3 Calcium Citrate with D3. 1 Biotin and 1 Super B-Complex.

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, kept liquids down well. Fork-Mash foods are difficult because you want to drink while you eat, and you can't. I have thrown up a time or two.

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

The deep hole they had to punch into my stomach muscle. It hurt to wipe and get up out of bed in general

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

My friend who had the surgery a year ago and my weight loss center group that is through my physician

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

I have small incisions since my surgery was done laproscopically.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

NA

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NA