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

I found out through my Doctor, I was so pleased that there is help for me.

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

I had to appeal, the decision.

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

I was very excited as well as nervious.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I want to live a longer life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor made the decision for me.

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 would have rather died trying to correct my problem, then with out trying at all.

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 supportative

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

Very supporative

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

I was up and walking on day one. The staff was very helpful.

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

No, everything went great.

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 better about 10 days after the surgery. I was still in a little pain , but nothing to bad. The tube was getting in the way of my clothes "it itches".

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

Taking thing slow, worked for me. After the drainage tube is removed, you will feel like a new person.

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

The hospital was about 30 min from my house.

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 14 days I was on a total liquid diet. (until the drain tube was removed)jello, broth, water, water, Day 14-30 I was on a mushy diet mashed potatoes, baked potatoe, refried beans Afterwards I could try different items. Still today 16 weeks out- I can not eat beef. It even smells bad to me.

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

Day 1 I was up and walking slowly. Week 3 I was riding my exercise bike Week 4 I was walking 1 1/2 mile a day. No limints.

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

Tums -at lunch time Multi-Vitamin B-Complex Vitamin Vitamin-E

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 is the worst I am 16 weeks out and my hair is still sheding

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

My hair loss

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

Riverside Hospital. Very helpful, very important.

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

Not bad at all. I expected something larger. As it heals it itches.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None as of yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes!