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

from tv,,,,,i was leary and scared

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

The battle between the insurance company and the dr. office was never ending, at 1 point I thought I was the onlysin peson. but after much time and many depressed moments approval came.

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

My first visit was inspirational. The Dr. made me relaxed and sure of what I wanted.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Knwing what I knw about th medical field, I knew I had little choice other then impending death, so my disicion was easy.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with what the Dr thought was the best procedure 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?

Being a ife support therapist, I wa worried about the ventilator and being where so many fmy patients have been. I now have a much better understading of how they feel, and Im a much better Therapist for it. I would tell them that all will have fears, but the fear of death and unhealthiness should oer ride the fear of death fom surgery.

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 Friends were very commited and the past surgery patient tha became my friends will always be # 1 in my heart, thank you for all you have done,( you know who you all are) im proud to know you, and I Love you, andI owe you my life.

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

very supportive

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

8 days,,, bring books and hnd toys

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

completely obstructedafter first surgery, went back for sugery #2. incision drainage,,,,opened up and packed several times

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

sore week and tied and depressed,,,but friends kept me pumped up.

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

expect to be sore and down,,,but it will soon improve

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

3 miles

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.

ate alot of ceammy soups...jello and pudding, all no sugar added then to thicker soups and chiles,,,still hae troublewith meats and no eggs

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

low, vey low

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

liquid vit's and protien drink

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?

some vomiting

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

the frustration from incisional drainage that wouldnt stop

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

sugery patient support group through my surgeon, its quite helpful

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

IT CROOKED, AND IM NOT PLEASED!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Some small plateaus bot only for a week or so at a time

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no, but complimentary