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

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

It takes time and sometimes you have to be firm with your insurance company and fight for what you believe in.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I looked at myself and deceided I could do better than this.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Well actually I didn't really when I found a doctor this is the type he recomended.

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?

Ask questions and be informed and yes your life will change forever make sure you have looked at all your options.

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?

At first and even up to the moment I was wheeled in to surgery my friends and family wanted me to reconsider. But when it was all over they were the first ones to lend a hand. If possible include them in this process of reseaching this surgery so that they can be informed enough to offer you some good advice.

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

I deceided to make this a private issue and all my employers knew was that I was going in for adominal suregy.

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

I stayed in the hospital for 4 days, it was an older hospital and I wasn't pleased with my care their although maybe I just had higher expectations than I should have. Bring some reading material and some loose clothing to wear home. Also bring a pillow for the ride home you will need it.

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

I think I will have to have my gall bladder taken out because of all of the weight I have lost.

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 ask a lot of questions and did a lot of research so I was really never suprised by what went on.

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

Drink as much water as you can it will only help you down the road with other complications that might come up. Walk as much as you can as well it will help you heel. Finally get plenty of rest you need your strength. Only weight yourself weekly you didn't gain it over-night so don't expect to take it off over-night.

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

6 hours Detroit, Michigian and then I let my family doctor handle my after care.

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.

Follow the liquid diet for up to 2 and half or 3 week. After that soft foods. Beef and raw vegs would be last on my list of things to try 4-5 weeks post-op at least. Small bites, chew chew chew, not water for about 20 min. before and after each meal. Listen to your body and it will tell you if you are on the right track. Old habits are hard to break........but your are now offically on a life-change not a diet there is no cheating on this plan.......stick to it.

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

My energy level has been low, but my drive is always been high and sometimes that can be a problem for me. About 4 weeks out I went back to work because of bordom and the need to pay bills. By 8 weeks I am pretty much back to normal although I feel sore a stiff a lot but if I did more walking that would probabley get better.

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

I take dailey (2)multi-vitamins gel caps from GNC, (2)Cal-trait calcium chewable ones from Wal-mart, (3) tablespoons of Pure protein liquid with about 40 grams of protein in it from GNC and (2) gel caps of the hair, nail and skin supplement from GNC. I also get my monthly B-12 shot from my doctor. I also try to drink as much water as possible.

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 vomited a few times however it was mostly my fault because I either ate too fast or I didn't stop eating when I was full. Also if I drink something too soon after eating it can be bad. Dumping doesn't seem to be a problem so far, however I did feel alittle sick after I had some sweet and sour chicken once so who knows if sugar will be a problem I am adjusting ok without it. The key is to listen to your body.

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

Just readjusting to a new life style can be hard when old habbits are still there. You have to re-learn your thinking skills when it comes to your relationship with food.

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

I keep in touch with a few other patients who have had this procedure done. But for the most part because of my location I am on my own. So I am using a lot of trial and error at this point.

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

It is big but it is also fading but it will be sore for a long time almost a year from what I have been told.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Smaller clothes are nice plus people calling me skinny is nice to although I am not there yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NO