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

I canceled the first surgery

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

I had none. Now I will have to fight them to take it down. Remember this is an elective surgery.

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

You need to meet one on one with the Doc himself not with residentd,nurses and staff. You will get overwhelmed

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

PRESSURE

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did not, Dr. Byrne did.

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?

Follow your heart.

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 husband did not want it.My friends are great.Anyone can look good in a smaller sixe BUT can you feel good.

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

I was already out on disability from the back surgeries

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

Long,boring and painful. They pulled my ribs back so my back was in shear pain.Dont forget your toothbrush and housecoat that is all you need.

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

I had to have the stomach dialated 2 weeks after surgery. I have had to have numerous scopes. I have terrible constipation, which Dr. Byrne sent me to Dr. Lahr to have removed. NO I will not do that too.

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 live with aniety that something else will go wrong every day of my life.

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

Slow down and take it easy be sure not to bend too much.

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

10 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.

No fresh veges, I have a hard time keeping brad or anything thick down. Yes after 7 years I trow up on a regular basis.

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

Slow and easy

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

NONE

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 is still bad. I have the dumping problem but with constipation. Food goes through my upper intestines at under 30 min. It takes 99 hours to get it out.I cope on a day to day basis

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

The Hospital,being in pain and having all these residents around me. Never being able to speak to my surgeon alone.

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

I do not have one.

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

As long as the one on my back a good 6 inches. No I was not expecting it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several where I would have to go back to the regular dieting, this is not a cure!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No they always love me the wy I was. If that is why you are doing this dangerous thing stop now!!