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

I have a sister who had it done in March of 2003. She had some problems but it was with the aftercare she got at the hospital. I have since done some research on it and have chose a different Dr. and hospital that has a better aftercare program.

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

I have Medicare and they paid for it all. The Dr.'s office took care of all the paper work for me.

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

The first meeting was great. His staff are very friendly and VERY helpful.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The pain in my back and the fact I knew I could no longer live as a overweight person.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It did not matter to me as long as I could have the surgery. Lap. GBS was what my Dr. does, so I trusted it was the best for 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 did not have any fears of dieing. I put my life in the Lords hands, and if it was my time to go I was ready.

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 family was very supportive of my decision to have the surgery. And they still are now that I had it done. I have a great family & friends.

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

My hosptial stay was nice. I went in @ 6am on Friday and was on my way home by 6pm Sunday. I would say take a fan. Everything else I needed the hospital had for me.

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

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 not hungrey and had to make myself eat. I would say the only problem I had was eating too fast. Didn't take long to get useto eating slower.

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

I was fine. I had no problems. I had to make myself eat and drink.

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

MCV where my surgery was is about 50 miles from me. It takes me about an hour to get there. Which is not a problem for me.

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 can eat red meats. Fish & chicken work well for me. OH!! and seafood I have eat spiced shrimp & streamed crabs often.

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

I am getting better at getting around. I get out alot more than I have in yrs.

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

I take 2 chewable kids vit. a day. I take 2 Zantac a day for 3 mos. and i take B-12 sublingual 500mcg. a day. and 65 mg of Iron 2x a week. and Calcium soft chews 500mg.2 a day.

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

There is no worse part for me. I was welling to make or give up whatever I had to in order to lose weight and keep it OFF!

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

I go to a local support meeting @ Mary Washington Hospital. The group is very helpful and nice.

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

very little. 6 lil scars

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit a no loss @ 3weeks that lasted a week, and another one @ 8 weeks. I am sure it's just my body adjusting.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, hard to explain.