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

found it from my primary doc. scared, worried, but exited, asked myself. can I????

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

go for it!!! go to the seminars. ask questions, follow through, dont give up

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

ask him or her questions. write notes. be honest

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

didnt like who i was becoming, wanted the old me back. wanted to do so much more

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

research research!!! went to seminars

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?

feel the fears, know you are doing what is best. and do what they tell you.

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?

all were supported. I told them what i was doing. and informed them of info.

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

only one week, im self employed.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

yes, I wasnt alone

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

2 days, wass tough at first, disscomfort, but worked through it. walked, rested, walked and rested

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

not realy, just needed regulation on my bowels. sometimes loose stools, was hard getting reg. but I think it took 3 months.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

no anxiety, felt fantastic

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

take it slow, energy will come back. rest, move, eat what you can, and drink your water

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

half hour

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.

beef is hard at times, thats ok, chicken and turkey are good. things need to be moist, chew slow, so you dont feel bloated

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

I worked, rested, everyday was better than before, not in a marathon, take it slow

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

multi-vitiamin, caltrate, vit.d magnesium, and zinc B-12

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?

diareia was hard, but better now after 6 months, sleep was hard for 1 month. now all ok

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

waking up and being soar, but only for a few hrs

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

my family my doc. and online

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

small, yes

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

weight sometimes but i just keep moving and eating what Im suppose to. dont weigh yourself everyday. I do it 2's a week. it comes, and its faster that i did ever before

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not realy, some say wow!!! who are you??? lol