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

Through obesityhelp.com. Leary, thought it was to good to be true and that it wouldn't work for me.

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

Be patient, if it takes time this surgery is worth the wait.

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

Go to your first visit prepared. Know what the surgery is and ask lots of questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had total faith in my surgeon and would recommend him to the world.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon believes and trusts in the open rny, so that's what I had and I'm thrilled with it.

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?

With every surgery there is always a risk, how bad do you want to feel better and does that outweigh any fear that you may have?

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 was worried but very supportive. That's what everyone needs that is going through this.

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

I was in the hospital for I think 3 days. The hospital could've been better. Sugar free gum, it really helps.

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

No complications, I'm one of the lucky ones.

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

My fear grew more intense the closer it got. I almost chickened out the morning I was going to have surgery.

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

Very tiring and sore, just keep walking.

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

8 hours.. I eventually changed my insurance so I had to switch physicians to one closer to home.

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.

Off limit for me is ketchup, vinegar products of all types and sugar. For the longest time I couldn't even stand to look or cook meat, now I'm able to eat it again. Good for the protein intake...

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

More active

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

childrens chewable vitamins and tums for calcium. Also protein shake to supplement protein.

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 vomiting is the worse, I can be sick for hours or days. The hair loss is only temporary, it's coming back now.

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

the jackson pratt drainage..

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

I attend a local support group.

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

I have about a 12 inch scar, but I wear it with pride and will gladly lift my shirt to show it off. It is a reminder of a personal struggle that will be with me for the rest of my life.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Lotsa plateaus and they go on forever. At least feel like it. They do pass.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I don't hear moo when I walk past people. I now hear people say things about other heavy people and my heart goes out. Also, people aren't telling me that I'm too fat for an occupation.