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

by seeing people that I know that had it,nothing could stop me fromm finding out more

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

I had no issues got it after first letter

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

it was great I was ready for the operating room ,be prepared by taking notes of whats important to you and take it with you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

my unhappeness with my self and finally having a chance to change it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I let my surgen & my ins make that choice.

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?

leave it in Gods hands because theres nothing you can do.

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?

very caring family and friends my husband came to every appt and thats not like him

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

my supervisor had the surgery years ago lost 75ibs and gained more back she had the first gastric banding. and I stayed home for 6weeks

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

the hospital was great I was in N.Y. Methodist in brooklyn.

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

just gas in my chest I used gasx

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 was fine up until a week before, prayer helped

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

you cant clean your butt good you need a water bottle to spray your self

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

It takes me 11/2 hours to get to my doctor Ididnot have to go that far but like my surgen said why settle for a ford when you can have a bmw

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 limits are fried and grease and sugar is a real no no no no.

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

tired,tired,tired not wanting to do anything

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

2 multi,4 calcium,coromega-3fish oil,iron, b12

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?

none so far

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

wanting to pig out but can't smile!!! no bad parts to report

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

I go to wls meetings at a local hospital and I stay on the computer looking at the stories of others

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

small marks that are slowly fading away

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

for 2 weeks I hadn't seen a drop but it soon started

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes but just on my job