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

about 7 years ago, and i was intrigued

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

United Health care...........no way no shape no pay period and it is written in my benefit books exclusion including life or death situation

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

He was great! Ask questions you will get answers

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

my health

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

surgeon

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 did not have fears of dying in surgery, If god wants me he will take me where ever I may be

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 family and friends were behind me 110%

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

They were supportive

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

3 days and basically comfortable and pain free. Slippers and pjs

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

Zero

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

Anxious is a light term

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

I felt great but had to remember easy going at first

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

to another country

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

slow the first few days and after one week I felt totaly normal. Months after surgery I have tons of energy

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

vitamin b, calicum and multi vitamins

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?

NO SIDE EFFECT!!

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

The drain tube

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

small group of other surgery patients

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

5 small line scars

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none really

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not so much