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

My Endocrinologist suggested it and I was totally for it because no other diets were working for me.

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

I really did not have to deal with my insurance company at all. My doctors office handled all of that for me. I never spoke to anyone at all involving my insurance company.

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

My first visit with the surgeon was informative. He went over my medical history and looked at my stomach to make sure there would not be a problem and that was about it. He told me the risks of the procedure including death if something major happened. Asked me if I was sure in my decision for surgery and that was the end of the visit.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew I had to make a change in my life and I could not wait any longer

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Quinlain told me what was most successful and which was better for me personally and what he recommended for the best results and that is what I decided

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?

I really had no fears about the surgery. I was that ready for a change in my life. I would tell other people that sometimes you have to take chances to get what you want in life. The surgeon told me that there was really nothing for me to worry about so I did not.

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 and friends supported my decision greatly. They could not have been any more supportive. My dad took a weeks vacation from work to be with me after the surgery.

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

My employer supported my decision like my family. She was very supportive. As for how long I was off work, I do not know yet. It has been not even 2 weeks

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

My stay in the hospital was not too bad for being in the hospital. I was there for 4 days. I really brought a lot of things but hardly used any. I slept a lot. Hairbrush and toothpaste are importand

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

A little bit The surgeons had to go a different route than normal because of poor blood flow but it went great

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

It was hectic. I had to finish getting things together at work and also things prepared for surgery. I had a lot of things going in my life at the time around surgery so there was not too much time for anxiety.

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

So far I have only been home a week but it has not been too bad. I rest a lot but i also get out a lot. I have not really stopped my life in any way.

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

Only about an hour and fifteen minutes. My after care was not affected in any way

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.

The only things that I have eaten the past week and a half since surgery has been clear liquids. Broth, jello, popsicles and lots of water and sugar free ice tea

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

I have not had a real level of energy yet but I just started taking vitamins yesterday so I hope my energy level will rise

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

I just started taking chewable vitamins

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?

I really did not suffer from any of these side effects I was a little nauseated for a few days after surgery but not too bad

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

To be honest it is feeling hungry. The doctor said that is expected for a while. Water helps a lot

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

none yet

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

I still have sutures so I can not say yet

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet