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

I went to an information seminar at a local hospital and friends had the surgery.

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

It was a piece of cake for me.

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

I asked everything I could think of, but the info seminar and support group I attended at the hospital was very important.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had trouble at 35 walking and I didn't want to be disabled for the rest of my life!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

When I found out the sucess rates of the 2 options.

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 had no fear and I felt my prayers would be answered by this surgery! Just trust that you will make it through.

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

My hospital stay was great! You don't really need to bring anything but some books or puzzles. I like to color so I brought crayons and coloring books. I had surgery on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005 and left the hospital on Saturday morning, Dec. 3, 2005.

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

NONE! I am a miracle child!

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

Just weak and tired from the lack of sugar and food!

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

Tired and slept alot. Drinking liquids is very important.

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

10 miles from home

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.

Only liquids after surgery. Every 3 months my nutritionist added more food. I ate blended soups at first. Then started with scrambled eggs and now I can eat almost anything. I still don't eat pasta, rice, white flour or bread, and no sodas.

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

minimal until about 6 weeks after surgery

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

I take twice daily vitamin and B12 sublingual once a week!

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 get nausea only if I eat too fast. I have never dumped, vomited, lost sleep or hair.

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

The enema before surgery..lol. It has all been a piece of cake!

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

I can't make the support group meetings so I'm trying this online!

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

Like little razor marks (7) on my belly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Two weeks I hadve dropped no weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, they talk to me now.