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

My kids and yes I was

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

be sure your doctor sends in everything about you and states you are morbidly obese

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

write down all of your questions prior to, and ask if he or she has seminars to go to

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 dying before the surgery I was at a crossroads in life and felt it was time to want to live !

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?

Family was and still is supportive and Im greatful, they were a great source of happiness to me.

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

I was retired but I didnt miss much was doing alot 3 days after surgery

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

I was there 2 days and had cabin fever was sore the 1st day the 2nd I was doing great and ready to go. The most important thing I brought was being positive.

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

No complications sometimes I overeat or eat too fast learning to rid myself of the buffet mentality.

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

Being positive and the weight loss helped immensely and the compliments as well !

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

Eating liquids and soft foods like jello etc

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

It is 5-6 miles very close !

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 eat no fried foods very little fruit and veggies very little meat but I do snack now .

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

I did nothing really I have started walking and working out some lately

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

I take 1 multi vitamin and prtein shakes as I dont get enough protein at meals

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 have had hair loss because I was eating wrong now it has stopped.

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

It is a combination of both and very informative and it is very important.

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

6'' long and 1/4 thick and it is thinner than my expectations.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had 1 when I wasnt eating right but back to losing now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes I am smaller and ask me what I did !