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

My ex- boss and It scared me It was not for me.

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

Make sure you find out what your insurance wants. I had to have 3 years of my weight on medical records. 6 months of diets and excerise. Make sure you have everything.

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

That he really cared about the people that came to him. He is out to help not to just make money.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My Primary Doctor. Dr. Wolf.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't the doctors made that because of my size.

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 really did not have any. But fear is a normal thing to have just talk to your doctor about them he might be able to help.

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?

I was very blessed here. I have a very good support team in my friends and family and my church.

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

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

it was good..... i was there 2 1/2 days

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

none

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

Excited,Happy,Scared.

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

Have someone there that will help you when needed. Sitting and getting up was hard for me. Reaching is also hard.

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

An hour away.

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 first week was just liquids, broths and water, Protein Shakes Twice a day. 2 week pureed 3 weeks out soft foods eggs applesauce, mashed potatoes. 1 month out you can try healthy foods. Still nothing fried. Thats where I am now

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

First week walking. But take it easy you don't want to pull anything. I had 22 staples in my Tummy so I was limited a little. After they came out I was better at walking. Moving was allot easier.

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

Multivitamin twice a day.Calcium Citrarte +D twice 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 was one of the lucky ones I did not have any. I am very blessed.

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

The road to the surgery was the worst for me.

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

Support meetings are very imporant to me. I have gotten alot of support from others that have had the surgery. Answers to my questions. Family and friends help allot also..You have to have a great support team or you might not make it.

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

I have 5 small scars. They are better then what i expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really but I am only a month out. The only thing I get allot is how good I look and how much have you lost so far .Well I am almost a year out now yes people do act differant now. Good and Bad