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

My work Summa was advertising.

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

Easy!!!!!!

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

He was caring but truthful. If you can't handle the truth then maybe the surgery is not for you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

What my surgeon and I thought would be good 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 know that you can die from having any surgery, but I could also die from not having surgery.

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 got mixed responses. I knew what would be good for me.

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

They were excited for me.

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

My stay was wonderful. The Staff was caring and understanding.

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

None. My surgery was a walk in the park.

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 keep my self busy.

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

I little sore but not bad.

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

10 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.

Bread is not easy to eat. I know can not drink milk.

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

I am tired easy.

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

Muti Vit, Zinc, Vit B12 SUB.

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 did not have any side effects

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

The wait to have the surgery

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

The one that is offered at Summa. I love it.

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

I have 6 small scars. Still a little red, but that will fade in time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, my co-worker's are realling treating me differently.