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

A frien d of mine had the surgery and lost a lot of weight. I followed her progress and eventually got on board. I was totally against it at first

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 problems whatever. My insurance was excellent in this respect. If you have a problem fight to get from the insurer what you pay them for. I believe some companies will try you just to see if you will give up

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

I liked my surgeon. She was informative and gave me the bad news with the good. She convinced me that open was best for me which was hard to do because of the recovery time. Do your research and write down your questions. Ask anything you want an answer to and don't hesitate to let the surgeon know what your expectations are of them. It's your body and your life

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was right around the corner from becoming diabetic and or death.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By discussing it with the surgeon and talking to others in the support group and through research.

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 a little concerned at first but I trusted the surgeon and God to get me through. The only thing I can say is I am a christian and I am not afraid to die so it wasn't a huge concern for me. Put your life in God's hands and you will experience that peace also

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?

Some are for and some are against.

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

I am retired so this doesn't apply

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

It was long. I really wanted to go home. But I got good care. I was there for five days. I don't know what to bring because all I had time for was sleeping ,going to the bathroom and trying to keep mobile.

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

I had a few lung problems. I had to breathe as hard as I could in this little machine daily and that wasn't pleasent. but overall I would say I came through it better than most.

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 ready to go and I really did'nt feel anxious. Mine got postponed once so I was finally glad to get it over.

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

Eating was the big problem. I did'nt want to. I was glad to be home and I feel I recovered much quicker because I was in my own bed etc. Don't expect to eat much,or be highly mobile. You may have to sleep sitting up. I slept on my couch for a good bit because it was easier to get in and out of.

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

I didn't have to travel.

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.

The two biggies are meats and sweets. You won't likely be able to handle those. I ate a lot of peanut butter, nabs, and soup. I really didn't want much of anything for a good while.

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

Pretty close to sedentary.

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

I take a multi-vitamen, 500 mg of B-12, 1000 mg of Calcium every 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 would say nausea and hair loss. I still get nauseated occasionally and the hair loss now is minimal.

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

The wait to get it and the hospital stay.

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

We have a monthly support group at the hospital. I think this is a good thing because it puts you in touch with people who are in the same boat as you.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had one so far where I got down to 235 and could'nt lose another pound if my life depended on it. I stayed this way for about a month. Then all of a sudden I dropped five pounds and am still going but it is very slow now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not to any great extent.