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

I found out about the surgery online, and I was interested from the start

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

Had no problem getting approved

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

Being involved with the Images Program was the best. I didn't actaully meet with my surgeon until the day before the actual surgery. My advice make a list of questions and concerns, and pose them to the Doctor

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I realized that it was my "last" chance at a normal, and longer life

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched what was available to me

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 was scared up till the moment they put me under. I would tell people it's natural. You should take the surgery very seriously

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 frienda and family were not overly supportive of my decision. I would have given them more time to prepare for me having the surgery, After the surgery, upon seeing that I was Ok and feeling good they came around gradually

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

My bosses knew of my surgery, and were supportive of my decision. I told thm I was having a gastric bypass. I was out two weeks

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

My hospital stay was the best, the staff was the best medical team I've ever had. I was in the hospital 7 days. Just personal items: Shampoo,deodorant,slippers, socks, music, reading materials

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

No complications so far

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 feel great. Was a little depressed the first few days. But looked into the future and was happy to get on my path to success

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

I had the laprascopic style of surgery. It's not very invasive and mobility was not an issue. I was up and walking that night

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

I live in tampa florida and traveled to Baton Rouge La to have the surgery done. Hasn't had any negative affect on my aftercare so far

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 only thing I have found that I can't tolerate are eggs- I was on soft solids before leaving the hospital

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

I have so much energy. I've lost 30 lbs in 2 weeks

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

I take two childrens chewables, a b-12 sub lingual, and two tums daily. I also drink two protein shakes 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?

haven't experienced any of these yet

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

The biggest problem I experienced was the dispensing of the gas used to elevate your abdominal cavity for surgery. Because it is not put into your digestive tract but into the cavity it is hard to get rid of it. It was very painful to me, but at the second day post- op. It was gone

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

don't really belong to one

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

I have six small scar from the incisions none more than an inch. Better than i expexted

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am currently stuck at 30 lbs and have been for three days

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

They tell me how different I look now