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

When my aunt had it done in the 80's. My impression wasn't good. Because she had complications and died from the surgery.

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

Mine the aproval went right through after I had everything done like the psych eval, stress test, 6 month supervised weight loss, and a sleep study

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

It was alot of questions back and forth. Basically ask as many questions as possible.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Was tired of being so fat.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Yes it was my decision but my doctor suggested the RNY because of my health problems

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?

Mine were of dieing because of my aunt. But the surgery is much safer now.

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 was very supportive and I wouldn't have changed anything.

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 since they knew this was what I wanted. I was out 2 weeks.

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

It wasn't bad I was only in there 2 days.

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

No not at all.

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 excited and nervous. I was just glad to be having it done.

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

There wasn't alot of pain. I was just tired at first.

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

Just 3 miles. It didn't change anything.

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 first 2 weeks was liquids. Then the next 2 was pureed. Then I went to regular foods. But now I still cant eat bread, pasta or red meat. In May it will be 2 years out so now it is a little over a year and a half out. But, I am glad I did it.

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

It is increasing each weak how much I walk even though not the speed.

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

Daily vitamin, biotin, vitamin c, calcium.

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?

Nausea and hair loss. But, now my hair is back to normal just curlier at a year and a half out. I think I now might have my second ulcer since surgery though.

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

Nothing really other than being tired.

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

The one the doctor offers is once a month and it wasn't very helpful.

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

Its not bad there small and it is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It seams I stall during the winter and then start losing again when it gets warm again and start moving more.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No just noticing that I have lost weight.