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

My sister-in- law. It looked scarey i was scared because they do tell you that there is 1% chance of not making it.

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

I had no problem getting approved. If you do just don't give up keep trying.

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

Very relaxing. Just listen to every they say

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

for me and my family. I wanted to be around when my boy gets married

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor only does one kind of surgery

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 was a little scared about dying but I figured If I didn't do anything about my weight I was going to die anyway.

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?

Very supportive. My sister had it done 2 months before me so we had eachother to lean on

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

excited for me. I was out of work for 2 weeks

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

My hostpital stay was great very helpful.I was there for 3 days. reading matrial and slippers

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?

I was very excited and couldn't wait to have it done. you know they tell you that you better eat what you can before the surgery but I had trouble eating

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

i felt great a little sore but managed fine

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

15 minutes 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.

til this day i have a problem with meat any kind. I can eat ground meat.

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

walked all the time by 3 weeks i was walking 2 miles

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

multi vitamin 2x aday 4 tums a day vitamin c 2x a day

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?

hair loss I'm still losing it Im coping with it. hopefully it will stop soon

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

learning how to eat again

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

4 or 5 inches long. yes this is what i expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no not really