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

One of my best friends was considering it so I went to a seminar with her.

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

Do not be surprised if your insurance requires 6 months dr supervised visits before your approval can be submitted. Your surgeons office can check your insurance requirements for you.

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

It was great. My surgeon and I talked for like 40 minutes. Make sure you fill out the paperwork they give before your Dr.s appt because he will use this and go over every bit of it. Be honest

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had to for my health and I am ready to live a normal life

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had seen the results from 2 good friends who had gastric bypass and was amazed at the transformation

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 really never got nervous. My only real fear was a pulmonary embolism because they run in my family.

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 have been very lucky and my family & friends have been behind me 1oo%. I also wrote a blog on my facebook about my decision and my journey and received so much positive re-inforcement. No has had anything negative to say at all.

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

My manager was very suportive and I didnt know how he was going to react at first but he was behind me all the way and so were all my co-workers.

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

It was very informative. I went in wanting to do lapband but changed my mind because I had no idea that it had more after surgery complications than the others.

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

My hospital stay good. I have nothing to compare it to because this was my first hospital stay. My surgery was 3pm on a monday and I was released around 2pm on wed. You really do not need much. I would suggest chapstick. I wore their gowns and non-slip socks.

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

Thank god I had no complications

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 never had any anxiety. I had TONS of excitement!

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

I have only been home a week. The liquid diet gets very boring... I am not hungry at all and having to make myself eat. I was the type of person that always had something to drink with me and drank it. I am also having to make sure I drink.

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

Not far maybe 10 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.

I am only a week out so I can only have broth, popsicles, jello, water, sugar free non carbonated drinks, was able to introduce cream soups mixed with skim milk and can now eat the small chunks of potato in potato soup, yogurt, pudding sugar free

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

My surgeon and nursing staff require you to walk every 3 hours. Do it or you will get trapped gas

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

I find out about my vitamins at my visit next week

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 been very lucky and have not had any nausea. I did have trouble sleeping at first but am now sleeping ine and in my own bed.

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

Trapped gas

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

My Bariatrics center has seminars the 1st & 3rd thursday of every month

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

still healing

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

not that far into it yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have had a friend that i was very close too pull away from me which was a shock because I thought she would be by my side.