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

A friend of mine who works at the hospital had it done and I seen what it did for her and decided to research the subject and did so for 6 months. I discussed it with my husband who didn't care what I looked like, but would be there for me if I decided to do it.

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

I had no problem with the insurance.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When i saw what the surgery did for my friend.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read up on it and thought that the gastric was the best for my life style.

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 had no fears. Only on the eating and getting sick when I ate too much.

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 mother was tickle that I did it. My brother and sister didn't know until I had lost alot to go and see them in another state. My sister was upset for a short time and then got over it.

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

there was nothing said and was only out of work for a few days.

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 great. I was very pleased with the attention that I got but also that I was the one to doit myself instead of rel;ing on them. Bring an open mind that you can't eat like you use to.

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

I had to have the opening enlarged some. but not really a problem. I have not had any problema.

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 getting energy and feeling better than I had in the past. Felt better after i started getting more weight off.

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

They should realize that other will eat normal food and that you have to have liquids then on to soft foods. they need to have strength that their life is starting over and they have new ways to eats and live.

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

It took and hour and half to get their. but I would of gone further if I had to.

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 found out that I can't eat hotdogs, spagetti, white chicken meat and eggs. Crispy bacon either. some days there might be other foods that Ic an't eat but then a few days later I could eat it. Tempermental stomach.

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

Energy was getting better. It was at a point that my husband could not keep up with me.

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

the change in eating and the foods that we can eat.

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

Support group is important but I have had none, and wish that I did.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been at this plateau for some time now and have not lost any more weight and want to. I really think it is my doing on this.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No can't say that I notice and treatment different. I did notice that some people didn't know who I was because I had changed so much. (ex-boyfriend)