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

had family members who tried wls when it was in its infancy....they did not do well

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

was the hardest part of the process for me...be patient if you can...fight when you must

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

informative...he was great...friendly and supportive...was able to describe things to him and he actually understood me....you dont get that from the "normal people" too often

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i simply felt that if i didnt do something that i would be dead in 5 years

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

went to btc in columbus ohio....open rny is the only wls they perform

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 personally had no fears.....but tell others that its a huge change and that fear is to be expected

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?

totally supportive

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

was off work for 8 weeks...they were more curious than anything

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

the people at btc were very good...comforting...and patient...taking time to explain everything...i was home on the third day

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

none

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

better and better everyday....more energy

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

to be tired....but you must make yourself walk...and eat the program that you are given

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

about two and a half hours from home....go to pcp for aftercare

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.

no sugar...not even now almost three years post(its a good thing)...very little at first...broth mostly..sf jello...2-3 teaspoons at first...now eating about a cup to a cup and a half at mealtime...when i remember to eat

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

walking...slow short distances ....now working out 3-5 times a week....some running...mostly walking -mowing the grass-and 2 neighbors yards...and working out on a heavy bag....great for exercise and frustration

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

pre-natal vitamins

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?

nausea when overeat..and same with vomiting....have dumped twice...both times following fish for dinner...guess what i dont eat anymore

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

that i didnt do it sooner

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

support of family...thats the most important to me....i use the chat at obesityhelp.com to communicate with others like me

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

proud of my scar...roughly 7 inches...

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

can live with the plateaus as long as i maintained or lost inches

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

oh yes....feel much more accepted