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

A friend of mine had it done.

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

I ahd some issues with the insurance how ever the weight loss center helped me thru it in a short period of time.

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

it was informitive. They need to make sure if they have any questions to write them down and ask them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

my health

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched and chose from there.

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?

My biggest fear is that I had this done and will not lose what I need to lose.

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?

I had a mixed reaction from family and friends. My husband is my biggest support and when i fell i can't do something he makes sure I do it.

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

n/A

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

My hospital stay was fine and I was in 3 days. The only thing I wanted was a pair of PJ pants so my butt was not hanging out.

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

no

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 very nervous and had the feeling like I should run while I can..LOL

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

I am home two weeks and the first week was really rough. The second week was better but still expect soreness.

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

10 minutes

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.

the first week is pretty much like the per-op diet. The second week starts pureed foods. I have not really had any food that is off limits Yet.

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

I am slowly starting to build my levels up. I try to walk about a block or more each day now. I still tire very easily

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

i just started my vitiams ..B-12,calcuim, multivitiam,pervicid.

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?

have not had any

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

the not being able to do anything at first.

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

I attend our monthly support group. I also use the online group.

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

there are seven little ones.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

n/a

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no