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

My family doctor....Dr. Harry Darland suggested i look in to it! Thank god he did!

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

BTC did all the work!!

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

Ask lots of questions! I didn't ask enough! Ask when & where there is a support group?

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I want to see me son get married, enjoy grandchildren. Watch them grow! It helped that the insurance wasn't a hassle! And that my superviosr was very supportive! Only a few people at work know what i've had done!

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?

Any time you go under death is a hazzard. I figured god wanted my to do this or it wouldn't have gone this far!

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?

Family very supportive.Family supportive after they went to a support meeting with me! I suggest everyone go to one with family members! Friends for the most part supportive.

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

My supervisor was GREAT and very supportive. Only 3 people at work know the truth. 5 weeks then back 1/2 days

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

Surgury 2:30 Tuesday home friday afternoon A good book!

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

infection my mother packed the hole everyday! she was great! I took about four months for everything to close up! I would do it again if i had to!

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

everthing(sugar free) tasted to sweet!

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

to be sore and tired. Have some one at home to help you the first couple days! walk walk walk even if it is just to the end of the driveway!

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

10-15 miles

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

very slow but i push to walked! I was very sore due to the infection and open wound!

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

Bugs Bunny suger free chewables

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?

sleep loss on going.... I am a stomache sleeper!! Hair got very thin on top....... But now growing back!

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

not being able to have a drink of water after surgery! I would killed for a drink of swamp water! Thursday am couldn't get there fast enough!!!!

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

Support group at BTC I always learn something new!

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

good except where the infection was!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

4/16/01 I've been stuck here at 157 pounds about 2 months now! But ill take it! No complaints about it!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Very much so! Its like im a hole new person!