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

I first found out about bariatric surgery searching on the internet and on the TLC special.

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

I was very lucky my insurance company approved my surgery in a matter of weeks.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was wonderful, a door had finally been opened for me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

What made me decide to have this surgery was the simple fact that I was not living life to it's fullest because of my being overweight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By doing a lot of re-search and listening to the different types at a lecture on WLS.

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?

My only fear was not waking up from my surgery. I would tell others that "everyday life has some fears to it. But living without taking this risk is a bigger fear. Never finding out if it can help". You have a life now is the time to live it.

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 family fully surported me and my decision. The support after my surgery was even better.

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

My empolyer did not know the exact type of surgery I was having, due to my fear of how they would react. So I only kept it frank. That I needed surgery and would be off for 2 to 6 weeks. I ended up being off work for 7 weeks.

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

My hospital stay was very good. I was only in the hospital for three days. The most important thing a person can bring to the hospital with them is a support system.

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

The only complication I had was a fever. But that is very common for me to have a fever when changes are taking place with my body. The fever quickly dropped and I feel great now.

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

The anxiety I felt was overwhelming. I was excited, nervous, scared, and happy at the same time.

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

I was very tired and wanted to sleep. I had a hard time drinking the amount of liquids I was suppose to, but that soon passed.

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

I traveled 3 hours from home to have my surgery. This did not affect my aftercare in the least.

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.

The only thing I have had a problem with so far is fish. But then I only had my surgery in March 2003. I will say this not only did the inside of my body change but the way I think about food changed as well. That came as a surprise to me.

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

I was very tired for the first few weeks, then I was walking and trying to find things to do and keep myself busy.

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

I take vitamins with iron and calcium supplements and 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?

I have only had a slight hair loss, and I have had dumping only one time due to something that just did not agree with my new stomach. It all in all has been an easy time of healing for me.

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

The infection I got at the site of my drain tube.

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

There is a support group but I have yet to attend. I plan on attending the frist one this month.

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

I have five small scars that are no bigger then an inch. And a small scar where the drain tube was. I believe from the healing that these scars are going to get smaller and will not show much at all.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are looking at me differently. Like I am not a type of cancer that they will get if they stand next too me. I have noticed this change in the past few weeks when my weight loss has been more noticeable.