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

I was scared of the idea at first, heard many, many horror stories.

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

No problems.

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

He was ihnteresting, personable & smart.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My back injury.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

1st wanted lap band, researched it & the complications were very scary. Then RNY, the idea of the stomach just floating there was gross & dumping doesn't sound fun at all. After all my research, DS offers the most realistic lifestyle and least complications.

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?

none. I was more scared not to have surgery. (after all my research.)

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?

Nothing but support & love.

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

Same as my family, I've had such a positive experience all around!!!

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

Get 4 days

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

no

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

fine, each day is an adventure!

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

each day is an adventure!

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

4 hours

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.

liquids 2 weeks, soft foods 2 weeks, then started introducing new foods daily. Sometimes one food would work then not the next.

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

I was pretty wiped out.

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

too many to list

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?

lots of hair loss

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

hair loss

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

local support group, OH

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

4 inch above my belly botton & 4 one inch scars from the lap instruments. Just as I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

the happen & it's very frustrating & had an 8 week stall! YUCK!!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes & no