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

I heard about it through co-workers who had it done.I was skeptical at first but the more I heard and read for myself the more I thought it was for me.

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

This is or has not been a nightmare for me,fortunately.I was approved right away.I really don't know what else to tell someone except to keep on trying.

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

The first meeting was very short.Ask alot of questions and research as much info as you can.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I thought after looking into it ,it was the right way to go for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon decided it for me

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 don't seem to really have any fears.I don't know what I could tell other people.

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?

Family and friends especiaaly friends were very supportive.

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

I did not tell my employer about the kind of surgery I am going to have.

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

My stay was ok,I guess for being in a hospital.I did'nt like being so confined to a bed though.I was in the hospital for 4 days.I would bring reading material to pass time.

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

No complicatinns.Everything went very well with the surgery itself.

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 am only 1 week post-op.I have been in some pain and I have a drain tube which really hurts,especially since it came out a little.these last couple of days though I have felt better.I noticed I have a little more energy with each passing day.Which by the wat is (Dec.5th 2001).I had a bout of depressin over the weekend ,wondering if I did the right thing.Questions like will I ever eat again,stuff like that.But now I feel a little better the depression passed for now.Just had to get some support and encouragement from other people.

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

My first weeks home were good.For me by the end of the second week I was ready to go back to work and did.I felt better being at home.As far as what people should expect I think thats different for everyone.I know the more you can move around the better you will feel.

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

I only had to travel about 15 min.

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 had a rough time eating at first.Alot of things got stuck and I would try to throw it up just to feel better.Since I am almost 3 months post it all got alot easier.It didn't matter what kind of food cause one day I could eat it and the next day I couldn't.Now I can eat pretty much eat anything.

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

Well,I didn't excerise at first then about 6 weeks after surgery i was going to start and I got in a bad car accident so now that has put a damper on things for a little longer.I still have alot of energy and I try to move around as much as possible.

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

I take Trinsicon(precription vitamin) and also a calcium supplement.

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?

Dumping and some vomiting were worse mostly because of food getting stuck.Now that I am almost 3 mos. post the only thing is some hair loss and with that I am trying to eat more protein.

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

The food getting stuck.

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

I go to support groups once a month and I also go to a private councilor.To me this is very important not only to know there are people out there like me,going trrough the same struggles but also to know how to deal with them and get help for them.To find out why I have abused food so bad and to find different ways to deal with problems besides using food.

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

My scar is great.I have 5 small little lines that look as though I just have a small scratch.No,actually I thought they would be worse.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am only 1 month post-op and haven't hit any plateau yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet,maybe its to soon.