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

I was scared heard bad things and god things...

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

Insurance was easy...

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

I first meeting was very infomative and learned alot, staff was very nice treated you like you belonged there...

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

How easy they made me and my family feel...

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I talked to doc. about the best surgery for my body...

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....Talk to your doc. get all the info you can...

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?

my family was scared and happy at the same time but we did it all together...

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

I was not working at the time..

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

I was in the hospital for only 2 days. surgery on the 12 of Feb. 2002 home the 14 of Feb. 2002, Remember to walk walk walk

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

No complications at all

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 want to go in sooner but deal with it.

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

I was a little sore but, I walked walked all over. ate baby food, and husband was great support...

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

You have to see a doc. on a reg. routine so levels are ok. my iron got low I got a little sick. but I am great now.

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

My scare is not all that noticable at all unless you know I had it done.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes people see me and talk to me now, they say hi, they use to just stare and laugh....