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

Someone I know had it. I was opposed until I realized the real benifits of it!

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

I was approved right away. It paid 100%.

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

It was great. He was very knowledgable. He answered all my questions before I could even ask. I brought a list of questions just to make sure I didn't forget anything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being fat.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted to lose weight the fastest.

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 wasn't afraid.

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?

Everyone was really supportive. If not they obviously said it behind my back... but thats just fine with me.

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

I was in College... no one really cared. I was out of work 2 weeks, but I worked a desk job so it wasn't a big deal.

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

I was there for four days, one extra because I had a lot of gas bubbles that hurt my stomach.

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

Just the gas.

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 a little depressed honestly, but I think everyone is.

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

I was a little depressed, but I wouldn't change a thing.

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

45 minutes. It was perfect.

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.

Liquid, Puree, Soft, Regular

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

2 weeks - walking 1 month - lots of walking 2 months - jogging

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

A lot... I'm anemic now so I take a lot of iron.

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?

my hair has thinned a lot, but it started thick so it's not too bad. I'm anemic now.

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

Anemia... gas bubbles.

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

I attended the Barix support group until I moved away. It has since shut down.

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

4 inches. It's fine, I'll never wear a bikini...

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

the last three years because I wasn't eating correctly, I've since lost ten pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Sometimes...