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

the surgeon that performed my weight loss surgery, did emergency surgery on a twisted bowel 10 years prior and I learned about it from him then.

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

was very easy to get the surgery approved with all the co-morbidities I had

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

it was fantastic. He spelled it out in detail, what might happen what might not happen. what would happen if I did not get it done.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I could not continue living the way I was

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

well I first started to go through one hospitals program. but I got disgusted with how many hoops I had to jump through just to get approved, then they wanted me to basically wait 9 months. so I did more research and decided I wanted the best surgeon I could find. and I remembered the surgeon that did my twisted bowel.

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 fears because my surgeon gave me all the answers I needed

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?

they were so supportive. I could not have done it without them

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

I did not work at the time and now a year after surgery I still have not found work

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

I think I was there for about 5 days. bring tooth brush and tooth paste and razor.

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

the only complication I had was I got dehydrated a week after and was re-admitted with low potassium levels.

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

to be honest I felt pretty cruddy for the first month. However I was grossly overweight and had trouble standing much less walking when I had the surgery done. Again if it wasn't for my father and family I could not have done it.

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

expect to stay near the bathroom, expect to be in some pain, and expect not to feel good, oh also believe it or not expect to be eating or drinking all the time.

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

about 4 miles from my dad's house

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.

the Doctor gave me a list (bible) of what to eat and what not to eat the first 6 weeks out. so really I just followed his menu. Now a year out some foods will sit fine one day and not fine the next

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

weeks after it was greatly improved but I still had a hard time getting around do to my large size.

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

I take 3000MG calcium 40,000IU vitamin a & 1200 IU vitamin D, 1200 vitamin d, and a multi vitamin a day

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 don't remember having any bad side effects other than very very smelly gas

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

not doing it sooner

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

the Dr. has a support group every other monday. that is required for the first 2 years after surgery but I still see people there, that are 5 or 6 years out

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

not much of a scar at all

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am on a plateau right now and I do not like it. I just have 25 more pounds to go and I want it to be done with.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, positively. I get asked to go out and do things more and more. and I have more confedence in myself