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

internet

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

Got approval from insurance company in 5 days. I have Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Louisiana.

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

My visit with the DR was very interesting.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health made me make my decision

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Dr helped me to decide what was best for me

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?

Dying was my biggest fear. but through the God all thought that I had all went away.

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 husband as well as my family and friends were behind me 100%. very supportive.

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

My supervisor was iffy about it but stated if its for my health she is behind me 100%.

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 wonderful. got my pain medication and everything I needed on time. I stayed 3 days and 2 nights.

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

I did not have any complications from my surgery.

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

When I got my surgery date I was so excited, very nervous. I just relaxed and waited it out!

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

The first two weeks are the worst. I felt like I'd been kicked by a horse in my stomach. very sore.

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

It was about 30 miles from my house to the hospital not very far at all.

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.

For the first two weeks after surgery all I could have was clear liquids,broth and jellow, water etc.....

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

It took almost two weeks for me to get up and at it again.

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

none yet

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 had nausea and thats about it.

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

The day after was the worst

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

My family

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

My scar is not realy what I expected, but its ok

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

No plateau experinces since my surgery.