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

From my endocrinologist. It sounded like the perfect solution to my problems.

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

No problems in this area. Make sure you have good insurance not just cheap insurance.

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

Great. Do your homework.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew this was the answer to my weight problems.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon made this decision.

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. When it is your time to die, you will die. Whether it is on the table trying to improve your life or you slip on a bannana peel and break your neck. You have no control over it. You can not hide from death, nor should you be afraid of it. Life is a risk. Make smart choices like this procedure.

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?

At first they were fearful. But when they realized I was not afraid, this helped a lot. Also they met a couple at church. Both of whom had just had the procedure. I would have communicated the same excitement about the procedure that I did communicate. Everyone has been VERY supportive.

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

Complete support. I needed to do this to save my life. Eight days.

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

Overall, very good. 4 days. A lot of patience.

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 felt great. No anxiety.

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

A mixed bag. Mostly good.

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

100 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.

Soup or anything soft. Chicken and steak are to firm to digest well.

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

Great.

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

Multiple vitamins, Calcium, Iron, Homocysteine Formula

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?

Nausia. 3 months. But they were agravated by the ulcer I developed.

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

The stay in the hospital.

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

PFAMOS. Very important.

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

8 1/2 long and pink. Yes.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No.