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

Through my doctor. He recommended that I do something as I was having many health related issues that were only going to get worse.

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

Stay on top of it. I didn't have any real issues other than after my first consult the surgeon that I had started out with terminated their contract with my insurance so I had to start all over with another physician.

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

Have your questions written down before you go. It seems like you get a mental block once you sit down with the doctor. So much information comes at you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew I wanted to be healthy and have a quality life. The doctor made me feel confident that I was making the right decision.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I left that to the doctor.

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?

It's only natural to have those feelings. They are required to tell you. No surgery is a guarentee. I was fearful throughout. Especially so walking to the surgery suite, laying on the table but once I was on the table and I was being hooked up to all the monitors and the IV started, I had a calm come over me that I was doing this to be healthy.

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 all very supportive. I think Dad was a little scared as he cried before I left the pre op room. I was determined to make the journey and knew that I had the support of many

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

I was not working at the time.

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

I can't complain about the care. I had great nurses and support. I was in the hospital 2 days. Bring comfy jammies if you don't like hospital gowns, slippers, crossword books or something to read when you aren't up doing your laps in the hall.

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

I wouldn't say complications. Waking up was a little rough and I had a hard time with the vitamins at first making me nauseated but I think it was just readjusting.

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 excited and ready. I think one of the wrong things that I did however was going out to eat and eating everything I knew I wouldn't be eating again for quite some time.

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

Expect to be tired. Be sure to wear the belt and walk as much as possible. You really do feel better if you walk.

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

Only and hour from home. I don't remember the ride home. I slept all the way 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.

I've followed the book for the most part. I did try to eat chicken salad not to long ago and boy was that a mistake. I think the mayo had it out for me. I have a hard time with iced tea too.

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

I was up walking as much as possible. I didn't have a lot of energy at first but it seemed to increase day to day.

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

i take b12 injections once a month. Folic acid, multi vitamin, calcium, and b1

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've had a few vomiting episodes likely from dumping, some hair loss but that is to be expected.

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

I can't say specially anything that has been the worst part. I had a hard time waking up from surgery, other than that its like most surgeries.

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

Support groups are the key. If you go to support groups you have the opportunity to talk to others that are going through the same things you are. It's helpful to hear what works or doesn't work for others.

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

I can't complain. The scars will fade and it's a small price to pay to becoming a healthy individual

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had a plateau that lasted about 3 weeks. I guess it's normal, nothing that I'm worried about at this point.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No not really. I've never been one to worry about what people think.