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

Scared, interested

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

AWEFUL, No help

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

First surgeon was not helpful, Second choice was Great.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Much prayer and my health

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Consult with surgeon

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 not have any fear.

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?

They were sceptical and absolutely no support. My friends were better at supporting me.

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

I stayed 3 days. Chap stick and a wash cloth. Pillow

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

I had a pleural effusion. I had to be in the hospital a week. I had 1 gallon of fluid drained from around my left lung.

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 felt good. The 2nd week I started getting energy back. Now I feel great!

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

The first week I was in pain but did ok. I could not sleep laying down. After that I was ok

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

I travelled 40 minutes away from home. No affects on aftercare

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 have trouble eating red meat. I would advise to not try that until later about 6 months out or so. EAT slowly DRink water, When your ppuch is tender go back to soft foods for a while and let it settle down.

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

Activity the first week minimal. Second more active, 3rd even more so. Now good to go

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

I take centrum chewable and calcium

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?

I have dumped and if I drink water too fast I will throw it up. Hair loss..somewhat...just go with the flow

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

I hurt the first few days. Take your pain medicine as you need it

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

I absolutely love my OH board. I am friends with my Bama support group which is very nice. This is quite helpful.

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

Minimal Yes it is what I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had 1 plateau so far It lasted 3 weeks then all of a sudden I lost wt again. I just had to work through it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No I do not yet. Many are asking how much wt have I lost