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

I discovered it 20 years ago. Thought it was a great idea but worried about being split stern to stem. A few years ago found out it could be done without gutting you and went for it.

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

Easy, Blue Cross, waited a year from start to finish.

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

He's funny, easy to talk to and warm. Just be honest and he'll do the rest.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My weight...duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wouldn't have lapband..so that left RNY

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?

None.

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 worried the day of surgery but were fine other then that.

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

I work for myself, so I slapped myself on the ass and said go for it....lol

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

great

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

NO

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

sore

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

sore

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

about 50 miles

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.

most everything, i got sick of food and couldn't eat

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

too much for my condition and i paid with more pain

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

2 flintstones

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?

all nausea, still nausious.

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

soreness

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

online forums

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

small

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

stuck at 210, after loosing 55 lbs at 5 months out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes hubby, wants to touch me more and I want to choke him more...lol