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

I have known about this surgery for years, several of my friends had it done in Durham NC. They were not to successful, but it was different 18 years ago. I went in this with an open mind and decided I was going to suceed.

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

My insurance was great, they approved it in 2 weeks. Let the doctors office handle the insurance company.

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

My first visit was approx 2-3 hours, very informative, very helpful. Listen to everything the surgeon says, follow all orders before and after surgery and you will do great. If you didn't have a problem and could loose the weight on your own, you wouldn't need the surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to be able to go to the pool with my daughter and be able to do things most obese people don't. I wanted to eat to live, not live to eat.

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 have fears, but decided it was worth the risk of having the surgery to get my life back.

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?

In the beginning my family was very against the surgery, I still did it with only my brother for support. Now my family thinks I have done a great job and are very happy.

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 2 weeks, I had no problems, You don't need to bring much, toothbrush, slippers.

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

I had major complications, I was bleeding had to go back to surgery. You think positive and thing how great the surgery is, it's going to change your life. Everyday you feel much better and you forget the pain.

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 felt great when I went home from the hospital, I cooked and pureed my food daily. I had no anxiety, I was happy to be alive. I was just tired for the first 2 months.

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

The first few weeks are an ajustment, you are tired from the surgery, not eating alot, but drinking alot of water, It gets better, if you have problems speak to the surgeon or a psyc doctor.

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

I was close to home, no travel

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 was on pureed for 6 weeks, only protein. Then it was anything I could tolerate, no fat or fried food, no sugar. For 10 months I ate only protein with an occasional carb and lost all my weight. Stay focused

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

I didn't have much strenth for the first month, I did walk around the block. As time goes on it gets much better.

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

I take a daily vitamin and calcium pill in the morning and evening, I was taking protein powder after surgery for about 3 months.

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 had some vomiting, but nothing else, the hair loss was after 3 months but I drank protein shakes with my meals, and didn't have much hair loss.

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

The fear before surgery, I have had not problems and feel great.

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

I have support group meetings 2 times a month. I think it is very helpful and keeps me focused. I have missed 2 meetings since my surgery.

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

My scar is ok, it is what I expected, I just had a tummy tuck and the scar has been fixed, it's great.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had several plateau's in the first year. If you eat what you are supposed to, the weight will come off.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I have been asked out alot now, seldom being asked out before, same people they just see me different now.