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

My sister had a Open RNY, and i was scare for her.

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

My experience was great, they just need a letter from my doctor, my OBGYN and my surgeon.

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

My Surgeon was straight forward with his answer and very clear about the pro and con of the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When i realize that it was my only option to better and healthier life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the most effective proceedure, the faster weight lost and i don't like needles

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 didn't have any fears, i wanted to be healthy with all my heart so i had faith, and faith kept me strong in my moments of thought.

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 only told people that really needed to know. MOM and my siblings and my everyone in my job.

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

They were consern, but when i told them that i had done lots of research they were relief. I'm out for 6 weeks.

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

My stay was 2 1/2 days, It wasn't very pleasant but i rated a 6, the most important thing to bring with you is lipbalm, fan, and a pillow. Personally i brought in a pair of pijama pants, the doctor suggest you to start walking as soon as you can so you don't want to be walking up and down the hall ways without a pair of pijama pants.

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

No complications.

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 upset. I couldn't move much. I had a drain with me and it was causing me a severe back pain, i could only walk for about 5 minutes and had to lay down. The pain was gone when the doctor removed the drain 10 days after surgery.

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

The first week was no fun. Second week was much better, Drain was out and i started doing thing around the house, i could sit up fine. I was all GOOD!!

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

I traveled one hour.

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.

On the first two weeks i did liquid, and after i was focus on Protein, everything i ate and eat is protein.

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

I started walking the very same day that i had surgery, it was much but i felt alive. When i went home i couldn't do much, i had severe back pain due to the drain i had placed.

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

B12, Multivitamin, Prevacid.

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?

Nauseas were the worse

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

The first week at home, and the nauseas

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

i go to two different support group. it is very informative and very helpful

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

it is much better than i expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

very frustrating but i understand that is part of the process.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, more attention