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

Was working in the field so I known for a long time about bariatric surgery. Honestly I can say that I am a little disappointed in me because I couldn't loose the weight by myself and keep it of

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

n/a

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

Mostly explaining if I was a candidate for this surgery. Discussing different surgery such as Lap Band and bariatric surgery

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I lost a lot of weight last year and gain it all back and more. I believe that this surgery is a tool for me and this is this way of thinking that made me finally decide to have the surgery

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

From what I heard with the Lap band surgery a lot of people gain some weight again. The bariatric surgery is more a permanent surgery and not reversible. Hopping that I will benefit more of the weight lost with this surgery

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 don't have any fears what so ever about dying from the surgery. I'm 58 years old and I had a great life so far with 2 kids and 2 grand children. I usually do not have any problems ealing from surgery so that is something that I don't expect really (but anything can happen) putting myself in the hand of the surgeon, nurses and most important whomever created us..............

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 mom didn't approved of this surgery she found it was a really drastic solution to my weight problems....I know that every one is behind me and support my decision...Well my boyfriend couldn't adjust to the fact I gained a lot of weight in the past year or so. (i gained 50 pounds) so he is presently very supportive of my decision...........

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

retired

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

We had and information session that explained about what to expect. Yes I was glad to attended because I knew then that things were getting ahead for my surgery