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

In the paper. Interested.

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

Just had to wait about 6 weeks.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Was a way to end my weight problem.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Got the tape from Bariatric Treatment Centers and someone I knew told me about someone they knew who had it 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?

I didn't really fear it.

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 husband and daughter were supportive. My sisters were worried that maybe I shouldn't do it and my mother was upset about it. But now they see how well I'm doing and are happy for me.

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

Don't work.

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

Normal. 31/2 days. lip gloss and lotion.

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

None

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 got my surgery date then I was asked to move up on Mon cause someone got sick and had surgery on Weds. Really didn't have time to get upset.

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

Take your time and heal. Keep moving around.

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

Only about 45min.

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.

I just followed the diet they gave me. But when i could have cheese I had a problem tolerating it til about the 4 mo post-op.

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

Slow at first but now I feel like I can do alot.

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

2 Bugs Bunny sugar-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?

No real side effects.

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

The pain just after surgery but the medication took care of that.

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

Support group thru the hospital. It is very helpful and it is good to get support when you go thru this.

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

My scar is kind of red and bumpy but that is because that is how I heal.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Weight loss sort of plateau at 6 mo but it seemes like I lost inches at that time.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NO