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

I had friends that had WLS and didn't think it was for me for many years. Thank goodness I changed my mind.

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

My approval was very smooth. No complaints.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was great. My suggestion is to ask lots of questions. Make a list prior to meeting your surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Health reasons.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I attended seminars about lap band and RNY.

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?

My fears were minimal. I had totall faith in my surgeon and his team.

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?

My family was very supportive. They were afraid but we just made sure that we had all the facts. Knowledge is the key.

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

My employer was very supportive. I was out of work for 5 weeks and really enjoyed that time to be comfortably eating before I went back to work.

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

I was in the hospital for 2 and a half days. They were as comfortable as being in the hospital can be. I brought a whole bag of items and didn't use any of them. I wore the hospital gowns and the hospital had everything that I needed.

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 so excited. I coped with anxiety by talking to my spouse and just knowing that I had made the right decision for myself.

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

Everyone is different. I had no trouble. Soreness from my incisions was my biggest problem other than gas. I really have no complaints.

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

Only about 30 min

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.

In the first weeks, I only eat soft foods. At week 4 I started solid foods and so far have not found anything that I can not eat. With that said, I don't eat what I'm not supposed to. I pretty much stick with high protein, low fat food.

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

Slow. Did some walking but not a whole lot.

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

Multi-vit, calcium citrate, B-12 and Vit C

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?

N/A

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

Gas pains on day two after surgery. It was horrible!!

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

Mostly support from family and friends.

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

No...it's smaller than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am experiencing that right now. I have not lost one single pound in 2 1/2 weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No...not yet but its still earlier