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

I had heard on television & read in magazines. I heard my co-worker was having it & it went from there.

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

Gather as much information you can, the more you have the better off you will be.

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

My first visit went very well, I had did a lot of research on my own prior to the visit which helped. Have a list of questions ready so you can get the answers you need.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After numerous attempts on my own, I know that I need help beyond my own control. I feel having the surgery will help me be successful at what I hope will be my last attempt to control my weight for life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After a lot of research, & also knowing others who had the procedure. Also talking with the surgeon about the difference procedures in detail I found what would work 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?

I currently do not have many fears about it, I feel at ease. I have made the decision & feel it is best for me. I don't want to leave this world but also don't want to continue living the my life as I am currently. I feel if it is my time to leave this world that God will take me no matter what I am doing at that moment. We take risk in our lives every day without a second thought. Driving to work is a risk I take daily & could lose my life. Again I feel if it is my time to go, I will go...no matter what I am doing.

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?

Most of my family & friends reacted supportively. Some did not. I think they all understand why I have made my decision but also care enough about me to want to be sure it is safe.

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

Fine, I told them I was having the surgery. I was out 2 weeks.

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

The hospital stay was fine. I was in for 4 days. A fan & family support!!

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

No complications as of yet.

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

I was sore & tired. I have started feeling better each day.

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

Expect to be sore, & go through stages of after feelings. Smell of food was not good for a few days. The urges to cook for others. Wanting regular foods...but it is getting better.

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

15-20 miles

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.

10 days on liquids after surgery. Then soft food diet,

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

Able to walk & do some things around the house. Tried to take it easy.

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

Fred Flinstones chewable vitamins

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?

nausia

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

Getting sick if something did not agree with new tummy.

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

Support group & family

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

Scars look good, healing better each day.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

sometimes...people know I had the surgery so they watch everything I do. Outfits I wear, food I eat, etc.