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

Heard of it yrs. ago but at that time it was quite risky. finally almot a yr, ago my Plumanary told me to go see Dr. Marema. That day saved my life.

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

I had to fight my ins. but if you know something will save your life you fight for it

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

MY FIRST MEETING WITH dr.Marema was good. He told me he had been where I was. He had the surgery the year before... So he knew how I felt.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided I wanted to live,not just exsist any more.And this was my chace.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I left that up to my Dr.

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 fears where if I didn,t have it,I knew i would surely die,with it I had a chance for a better life than i,d had in years.

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 afraid but they knew this was my decion for me

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

I dont work am on disability

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

My stay in the hospital was good.They had a section for obeaseity patients so we were treated very well.I was there 4 days. The most impotant thing to bring with you is a positive attitude.

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

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?

anxious wanted to get it done.Knew i was doing what was right for me

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

I felt like a kid. Had so much new found energy I didn,t know what to do with it

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

only 20 minutes away.

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 have been on protiens only untill I reach 75% of my wheight loss.I am almost ther,another 11 pounds and i can start adding back normal foods. I have done fine.Never hungry.

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

I could do things hadn,t done in yrs. i could walk

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

i get a b12 shot once a month, take chewable multivitams, pottasum, vitamin c

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?

the only side effects I HAVE HAD WERE SOME HAIR LOSS NOT MUCH AND I,VE HAD DUMPING 3 TIMES FROM EATING TO FAST Learned to slow my eating,hair comes back thicker and shiner than before

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

Having to wear the drain tube

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

We have support group meetings.These are very helpful

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

They followed an old scar. scars dont bother me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I dont see them as plateau,s I know when there is not a loss in pounds i am loosing inches.so at all times you are loosing.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes sad to say but they do. Now they see the you that was always there they just didn,t take the time to see before. because i,m still me.