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

i had seen commercials on tv and then did some research online

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

i really did not have any problems with the insurance because my husbands company has regular wellness checkups for there staff anyway so the was one of the good points

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

it was very informative but also very confussing its alot of information. i was very pleased with how polite and how clean the office was and the fact that they don't look at you like you are very over weight

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

there were so many things that i could not do for myself like lacing up my shoes or hooking my bra

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i did not like the fact of some object being around my stomach and i did not think that it was right for me so that is why i went with the gastric bypass

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 did not have any fears or concerns i was so happy that i was having it done that i could only think of the future

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 husband was not real for it because he thought i was going to die but after the surgury he is really happy that i did it i have only lost 85 pounds so far but i am doing things that i have not done in like 6 years

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

im a housewife so this one does not applie to me

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

my hospital stay was ok not what i thought it was going to be. i went for my surgury on monday morning and left tuesday night. i think the most inportant thing to bring is comfy clothes to leave in and some lipbalm

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

no i had 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?

i was more excited about it then nervous it just would not come fast enough

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

the first week was hard i had to have my husband home because i would get dizzy and stuff but other than that i was fine

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

i only had about a 2 maybe 3 mile drive from my house to the hospital

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 still have a problem with chicken i can never keep it down i found that i eat more fish then i ever thought i would

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

the first 2 weeks after surgury i was very tired but now i go to the gym at least 5 days a week and use my treadmill at home

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

i take 2 chewable multivitamens i also take 2 tablespoons of liquid calcium and twice a week i take 2 b-12 and 3 protein drinks a day

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 dumping really if i eat chicken so i more or less stay away from it

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

some days i get frustrated because i can't eat the things i use to but then i remember that that is what got to the size i was and then i think well im better off now and i feel great and i don't need that kind of stuff

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

i did not join any support groups except this one

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

sometimes it bothers me because it is still pink and stuff but i have to remember that it was only 3 months ago

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i have not had any

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

my family treats me alot different they are very happen and no so concerned that i am going to get sick and die