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

my bestfriend had it. that it would help save mylife.

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

it took me less than month to get approval, and then it took me a year and a half to find a surgeon. just dont give up on the waiting it took me for ever dont give up it saved mylife .

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

it was scary and exciting at the same time. ask as many questions as u want . most surgeons understand.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

myself i did not wanna die at age 30.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

not a choice had to have rny cause i was to big for the other procedure.

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 did have some fears but just prayed about the procedure and my frind was really there and my family to.

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

was good received excellent care. was in for 11 days 6 days in icu on life support, had complications didnt know i had till surgery. something to do read or computer or anything to keep u occupied

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

yes, had sleep apenea didnt know, my bad oxygen levels got really high, and had some other i dont know about, and couldnt breathe bye myself. was very scared when i woke up in room and coulndt figure out what happend to me why i had a tube down my throat .

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

yes when i met doctor i had date for surgery then. two weeks later i had it. was anxious very scared that i woukld not make it

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

was weak cause of the stay in hospital the first three monthes for me were the worst. but it got better and the weight just melted off .

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

about two hours from my house. did not affect my aftercare, i just went to my family doctor only seen my surgeon one time after i was home no my doctor does not do them anymore so now i ahve to find a different one that will work with me.

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.

small portians and could not eat rice,pork chops, or red strawberry drink things, pop was off limits. now the sad thing is that i can eat the same stuff but not a lot which is good i still struggle.

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

took me a little bit to get my strentgh back, but i did then i was able to walk exercise and go to the ymce and join it and take water aerebics .

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

one prenantol vitamin

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?

the vomiting and the dumping were the worst for me. had some minor hair loss. i still get the dumping, which is the diarrah if i have to much sugar, and i get sick if something does not agree with me at all

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

just waking up in the icu not being able to talk are ask what happend then having withdrawls from some of the meds i was on before surgery.

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

i go to a support group that my friends that had the surgery the same as me. it is very help full

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

yes it was like i would have .

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

had meany have gained back about 60 pounds am trying to turn things around.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes and no people still stare which i hate.