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

A dear friend of mine was undertaking the journey herself, and I was there towards the last couple months pre-op (and during, and post-op). Initially I was always the type of person to feel you have to be happy with the body God gave you... but, then watching her journey, and the amazing transformation of her health and her spirit, I looked at myself-REALLY LOOKED-and I quit stuffing all my emotions into a ball and really thought about getting some help for myself.

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

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

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What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The day I decided to undergo the journey for WLS, I had stayed home from class because I have days where my knees or back hurt so bad I have to rest - there are a LOT of stairs from my apartment and on campus - and I just said enough is enough. I am not even thirty and I am taking a day off because I can't walk up and down stairs? I have GOT to do something about this.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

That was the easy part, really. In researching the surgeries, I really concentrated on the long term effects and the risks. VSG is, what my instincts tell me, my path.

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?

Take a breath. In and out slowly. And another. Nice and slow. Now; what is more dangerous-staying obese like you are, or taking that leap of faith for a chance at a new life??

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?

I had the most surprising out pour of support it made me cry!

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

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

I cried.

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

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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?

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

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

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

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Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

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Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

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