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

I first found out about bariatric surgeery from a friend who had it done. I thought it was the easy way out at first, but then after learning about it and going through it I realized it's anything but easy.

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

With the insurance approval I had to do a 6 month supervised diet. It was difficult and frustrating, but I would have to say it was well worth it!

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

When I first met Dr. Mehta, I thought that he was a great guy and he knew exactly what he was doing. I was just kind of scared because with any new doctor your going to be scared because you don't know what to expect. But I have to say Dr. Mehta is a great doctor! =)

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I think that my breaking point was after my final blood test before my surgery. My fasting blood sugar was extremely high and diabetes runs in my family. I was even on diabetes medication and still my blood sugar was extremely high. That and I was just sick of being heavy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I thought about it and I finally decided on the bypass, only because on the lap band you can cheat yourself and I thought if I am really committed to do this for me, why am I going to ruin it and cheat.

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 really didn't have any fears about the procedure. I mean I did, but I knew that Dr. Mehta wouldn't let anything happen and he knows ALOT about the surgerys, so I knew I was in good hands.

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

My stay in the hospital was a memorable one at that. In the beginning the burses were awesome and wonderful. But then after my surgery I ran into a couple of problems. Dr. Mehta had told me that I would feel no pain until the next day, well the nurses forgot to plug in my IV pump for 2 hours! They apologized and kept track of me. Well then the next day they forgot to plug it in for 45 minutes. I told Dr. Mehta and he took care of everything. I was there for 2 days, the most important things to bring would be your own slipper socks, because those big thick black ones aren't that great. I bought a pair from Old Navy before than. But if my mother didn't stay with me, I don't think I would have made it through. The hospital stay was very rough!

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

I didn't have any complications with my surgery

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 nervous after they gave me my surgery date, but I also felt relief because I knew that on that day everything would be different and change for the better.

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

The first few weeks, I'm not going to lye are rough. Your very emotional and moody. The eating part is alright your not hungry so, that's good. But it's very werid at first to see everyone eating and your not. It was really rough for me I was very emotional and moody! =) haha

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

I traveled only about 15-20 minutes for my surgery.

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 couple of weeks I only ate wonton soup (drained because of the pork), potatoes from KFC and any broth. I didn't like the sugar free ice pops, but some people swear by them. I wasn't a big fan. But your tolerance increases each week. From there I went to fish, like crab tuna shrimp. And then I tried ground beef, so it's basically trial and error. Worse comes to worse you get sick.

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

I was very tired at first, but then you do get your energy back. But I then started school and realized you get tired very easily. Some nights I go to bed around 845 9 o'clock. So basically it just depends on the person.

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

I take Centrum multivitamin, calcium (600 mg) and iron (65mg). I also take my protein which has 50 grams in it. It's by GNC and their in a red can, I perfer the cookies and creme! Very yummy!

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?

The things that was worse for me would have to be the nausea and fatigue. I have no yet vomitted and I haven't eatend anything in it for me to experience the dumping. Also my hair is so thick that if its falling out I don't realize it! lol

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

I think the worst part of the bariatric surgery was the hospital stay. With not plugging in pain meds and other things, I would have perfered a different hospital. But other than that I would do it all over again!

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

I attend my support groups monthly, which help me out A LOT! Plus you have to have an encouraging support system from your family and friends. That also helps out alot.

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

My scars are very small and tiny. They are colored because that's the way I scar, but there are very tiny so that makes up for it. Plus vitamin E helps with fading them.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau right before my period, but after I got it I lost like 3 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

They don't treat me differently, but I do get a lot more comments now about how good I look.