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

I heard about it from a P.A. who worked at a hospital that i didnt becasue the hospital where i work doesnt do wls At first I was not impressed I said not me that crazy.Then i went on line and read about it and i was on line every day like a mad women i ate slept wls and i really loked into every opion.

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

Thank God i didnt have any problem with insurance,because of my health issues. I think they should go to their doctor and he will help them if they really pose a health issue

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

It was wonderful. He explained the whole deal and he was very interested in helping me ASK QUESTIONS WRITE THEM DOWN AND DONT BE AFRAID TO ASK ANYTHING

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have the surgery because i knew i was headed to have my legs cut off from the high sugars i had all the time. I knew i was not going to live long in the condition i was in/

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided the procedure roeny open because this was the only one this doctor performs and i wanted this doc only.

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 feared dying but i knew i was dying slowly as it was so i really said if its my time let it be/ I would tell other people If the surgery turns out good you will be the happiest person in the world i would never want to go back to my old overweight life.its terrible to be in prison in a fat body.

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?

At first my husband was against me having the surgery and my children was afraid of me dying they begged me not to have it. But i asked them to support my decision and they did. After surgery they took care of me like they baby.........

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

My employers understood and were very happy for me I was out of work for 4 weeks

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

It was scarey,I was there for 3 days.A book to read and all your toietries.

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

Yes i did i went home in three days and and then developed a blood clot in my leg and a wound infection nand bronchitis and was in the hospital for 10 days..I was sick but i still was glad i had the surgery and i was fine after that.,

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 scared thats for sure i ever dreamed about it but i was so head strong about the surgery that i got along..

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

It was hard because you have to drink every hour and it hurt sometime and i didnt want to drink but you have to. It is slow going for a month and than its not bad at all. just think you are never straving again just a little hungary your eyes are hungary not your pouch

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

About a mile from my home

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 month i just drink and ate mashed food and you have to eat real slow that is the hardest thing in the world for me to do AFTER 2 months i ate everything never had any problems

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

First 4 weeks no heavy work. stayed home form workand went shopping rested most of time

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

I take iron pills for the rest of my life calicum pills and centrum vitamind.

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?

side

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

THe waiting to be approval. If i wasnt approved i was going to take a loan.

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

I have a best friend who had the surgery 2 weeks after me so we are very close and we are trher for each other

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

My scar is about 4 inches long and its what i expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no