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

I first heard about bariatric surgery 20 years ago, but thought it was beyond my ability to pay for.

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

I may have gotten the fastest approval ever. Two days after my first doctor's appointment the nurse called and said I was approved.

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

He was very nice and told me I was a candidate for the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After a lifetime of yo-yo dieting, I have come to the end of my weight loss battle.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon explained which technique he uses. I chose the one with the most long-term success.

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?

Yes, I have many fears, but like I told my surgeon, I don't want to live this way anymore.

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 of my friends and family are freaked and others are very happy that I will be happy.

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

I don't have a job at the present time.

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

Like all patients in the hospital I couldn't wait to get out. I was there 4 days and the most important thing I brought was my pillow.

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

I didn't have any complications from the surgery.

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 had all the emotions you would expect to have. I almost changed my mind the morning of surgery. The chat room helped me cope with alot of my anxiety.

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

I had a lot of pain, but the doctor said my threshold for pain was low.

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

2 miles.

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 only things I was allowed to eat were chicken,turkey, and beef baby food the first few weeks, then cottage cheese and eggs were added. I ended up in the emergency room a month after surgery because I ate a bite of macaroni and cheese.

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

Very low activity level.

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

I take pre-natal 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 effects

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

The pain