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

I first read about it is a US Weekly Mag and I thought it was just for the Superstars .

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

I had to release my docs records for the last 5 years of documented weight loss trials and meet a certain BMI

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

I was there 7 days I had an open surgery I was there so long because I had to have some transfusions after surgery I would advise you to take Chapstick

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

No I do not have any except when I over eat or eat the wrong things that I know I shouldn't

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 ecied and I was put on a list for any candellations and I was glad to hear from them about a further date in the near future.

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

They should expect a little discomfort and a little depression at this time because you no longer have the food there for you to enjoy when you feel sad

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

4 hours No my family Doc took care of me and he did all my follow ups and communicated with my surgeon

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.

Could not eat: Bread , anything doughy, MILK I still can't after 5 years. If I eat these things I vomit I can eat bread now it also took me about a year to drink carbonation

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

At 4 weeks out I was able to do almost anything I wanted to do.

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

I take 2 tums every day Vitamin C, Calcium plus Vit D , and a B12 shot every month I administer my self

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 this going on from time to time

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

I think it is wonderful the hardest thing is dealing with your loss of food.

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

It is gone since my tummy tuck just a little line is there now

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

OH YA I get treated way differnt people talk to me now and do not look at me in disgust