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

My pcp and I talked about it do to my b/p so I went to talk to the surgion with my medical records in hand he asked me how long did my pcp give me to live without surgery.

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

My insurance approved me in 5 days.

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

My surgion had handouts pictures and drawing I left his office after spending 1 hour and 50 minutes with him very well informed he also gave me his email address and said if you think of anything email me and I do my best to andwer it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My visit with my surgeon and obesity help.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance only covers RNY OR LAP BAND

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 was told if I didn`t have the procedure I would not live another year.When I thought of my family I new this was best for me.

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?

They were very suportave of my choice to have RNY

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

I am my own boss.

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

I went in on Wed. and left on Saturday my procedure was an open RNY

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

I had three blood clots in my left lung I was readmitted for two days.

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

My only thoughts were I am on the road to be healthy and have my life back

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

I had a hard time getting in my liquid and protien but after a few weeks I did it with no trouble

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

Two hours worth every mile

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.

sugar fats and I can only eat turkey,chicken and ground beef vegetables and fruit,cereal

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

I was very tired and week for the first four weeks

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

Multi-calcium-vitamin D-B 12

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 never had any side effects

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

the blood clots

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

I have a group at our local hospital I am involved with they are very helpful

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

I had open RNY my scar is very fine like any other fine scar

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a lot of platues but I syuck with it and the pounds did come off

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get stares and now my neighbors hate she thinks I loss weight to be smaller than her.