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

I went to visit a doctor to speak about my depression and part of my depression is my overweight and she ask me if I have think of gastric bypass and that was the first time I ever heard about the surgery.. so went I got home I started searching for more information and then 2 years later my dream of starting a healthy life came true :)

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

Mines was approved very quickly.. because my bmi was really high.. I had blood pressure.. pre diabetes. . And sleap apnea. For other people is more difficult to get approved so make sure that you have prove of other diets that you have tried before and have not work.. like receipst.. and doctor visits.

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

It was great.. I was just waiting for that moment :) he fill out my papers and gave me the surgery date in a month.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

One day I looked myself at the mirror and I said to myself I dont do something im going to die. I cryed and said to myself..im tired of been so big is time for a change. My kids need me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decide for bypass because I could loose more weigth. And I read lots of patients with the lap band or the sleeve end up going for a second surgery (bypass)

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 was very scared at the begining and I gave up and stop going to my appointments.. but then 3 months later I decide to go back because I didnt want to loose that opportunity..

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?

Sad but my family have never support me on anything. My support are my children :)

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

Im a college student and my teachers gave me a week to be home :) After that week I went to college with no problems.

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

Yes.. theres is a lot of important information on the seminars.. Im glad I went and it was a requiredment.

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

I was at the hospital for 3 days.. Things to bring.. comfy clothes..hair brush..thoot brush..etc.

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

No I thank God I Didnt :)

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

Oh wow.. there are lots of mixed emotions .. I recommend going to support groups and online forums.. if you dont have family or friends support.

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

Dont lift stuff.. rest has much has you can until your body heals.. walk around the house every time you can its makes you feel better

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.

Im just 5 weeks post op.. so rigth now im stqrting to eat solid foods.. they have to be moist and chew it..chew.chew. Dont eat bread.pasta.sugars or fried foods.

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

Rigth now im just walking for 20 minutes.

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

Flinstones chewable 2 daily and protein shakes.

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 have been lucky I havent experience none of the above.

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

For me.. when I wake up from the anestesia.. the pain was terrible.. but has soon they put medicine I was fine.

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

My hospital has support groups every month.

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

Yes.. there not to big.. but I prefered to have scars than all the overweight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet..