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

I was at the Dr. office for a visit and the FNP suggested I go an see the bariatric surg after a few years of failed weight loss..my impression was that sounds good to me but I will never get approved.

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

My Insurance was actually not bad...I did get turned down a couple times but I called them weekly...my advice..never give up.

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

The first meeting I was nervous...but talking to Dr Sass came easy he was super nice at the first visit.to get the most out of this meeting plan ahead write down questions you want to ask and may forget without notes.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

tired...of being tired all the time..I wanted to know the feeling of not being held back from being obese...

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

For me NO question...I didn't want anything under my skin to have to be adjusted I wanted to have the surg and move on.

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 ...and made a will so people would know my wishes...and even the fear I had wasn't enough to hold me back. I felt I wasn't living anyway.and I would say to anyone who needs this surg. If you really need the surg. GO for it do as I did...IF you are a believer..put your trust in God.

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 Parents were aganist me having the surg. but support me now...I would have told my Mother I was having the surg myself instead of others telling her ....

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

I am self emp. I was outta work for almost a month..just because I could.

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 good the nurses were great. and I almost needed nnothing I was in the ICU the 2 nights I was in the hosp. I onl needed personal items.

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

I did have complications......I called the nurse in the Dr. office and she told me what she thought it sounded like ...the problem con't for a couple more days I called the DR. and talked to him myself and he told me he would be working the ER and if I wanted I could come to see him.I did go to the ER that night a 2 hr drive only to be treated as if nothing was wrong with me and I was having very bad pain in my stomach he ordered me a pain pill and a muscle relaxer that knocked me out I have never taken that much medication in my life to to mention all together.

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 so excited and I never had any anxiety at all..

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

well for me I had really bad pain in my left side and also beside my belly button.

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

I traveled only 2 hrs.

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 have found that what you can eat today ...doesen't mean you can eat it later...also protein is so hard to get in....I am now 3 1/2 months outts surg and still only get around 25 and the FNP wants me to get around 60...can't do it.

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

I was up doing what I needed to do until after 6 days and I had really bad pain in my stomach beside my belly button which felt like something had a hold of it inside and pulling down the dr office nurse said maybe it was scar tissue tearing.after that passed I am up doing anything I want.

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

I take the orange gummy adult...one 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?

I still have N & V I can't eat alot of anything at all. and you just know its part of it and you go on. I have had a lil hair loss but my hair was thick so I don't miss it at all.

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

the worst part for me was...having such pain going to the ER to see MY Surg.Dr and being treated as if nothing was wrong with me and how he talked to me.and also after almost 4 months as of 10-22 will be 4 months I still haven't seen the DR. only his office FNP..I am wondering if he cares at all for his patients after surg.to me that was the very worst.

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

I haven't been to any support meeting as of yet but I do however plan to attend.

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

my scars are not bad I had it lap so not bad and yes I knew what to expect.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am the same ol me so my friends and family treat me the same ol way.....People in gereral its different but maybe I am just mean but If ya couldn't be nice to me when I was fat...don't bother now my inside is the same.