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

i read about it for years . i used to fool myslf into thinking i didnt weigh enough to do it.

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

My doctor DrNoyan and his staff made it so simle they were amazing as was aetna my insurance carrier. Just get all your precertication test done asap .

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

Dr was great so informative and professioanl made me feel instantly at ease.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

the pain I was in , the sleep apnea(lack of sleeep) the miserable ways i was obtaining.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew the lap band would eventually let me cheat. i wanted a no hold barred way to finally get my weigh under control and like the discipline required with the rny

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 afraid I was being superficial and I would die and leave my kids orphans for selfish reasons. i realized that it would let me live longer though which helped get me through. After the surgey i was like whew...this is great. i lived and now im on the way to success.

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 all very supportive. especially my mom and younger sister.

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

my employer was very supportive I am still out hope to go back next week.

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

i was very happy as some women were only two weeks after and were walking and smiling. that was a releif. my next couple were awesome too. i want to attend every month if i am able.

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

hospital stay was short and sweet . My nurse David was amazing. the best there i think . the rest were very good also but not as professional as my nurse.

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

none really

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 very excited till the day before when i was scared.

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

im only three weeks after,...but otherwise they are great so far .

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

i traveled 50 miles it did not affect anything,

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.

see my profile..... my blog lol

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

i exercised every day walked right away and now do stationary bike every day 30+ minutes. and strength train every other day .

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

multi vitamin b 12 sublingual 200mg biotin muscle milk light protein shake

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?

vomiting only when i eat too fast. i now time myself.

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

patience....i want everything too fast... but its all been pretty good so far.

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

I go to support group in hamilton

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

all but two are great...others are just too evident.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i am platueing now at three and half weeks. no loss in three days

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

people notice i have lost 30 lbs and my face is thinner