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

My brother. initial impression that it would be painful but well worth it

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

I was very lucky. it went through very easly

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

It was calming. i was very nervous but after speeking with surgeron i felt very confident that i was making the right decision

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i just got tired of looking in the mirror and not liking what i see

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

my surgeon only offered the one

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?

The way i looked at it is what kind of life do i have now or would have in the future without it. To me it was worth the risk

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 whole famiy being overweight helps them understand how bad a person can feel physically and emotionally who is dealing with a weight issue

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

My employer was supportive as far as it being something i wanted to do. but she has been thin all her life and couldnt understand why i would want to do something so "drastic" and ishould just diet. ha like i had never done that before

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

i was there for 4 days, the hospital stay was long!!!!! just bring people who love you

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

i was lucky, no complications. yet

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 nervous. i just kept thinking about how much better i would feel afterwards

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

Expect to go through some depression and some confusion. im still confused about somethings

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

i have to travel about 1 1/2 hours. so far it hasnt been that bad

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

everyday u feel better and able to do more

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

flinstones children chewables yuck

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?

the worst was sleeping i just coulnt get comfortable. took about a week

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

the staples and itching from the healing

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

i dont have one. and i feel like i really do need someone to talk to

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

i have some skin flaps the dr said they would go away.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

just had surgery a couple of weeks ago. no plateau yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet