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

i searched hard for help and started looking for help by talking to others and expanded my horizons. then called for help

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

just go for it it wont fail

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

i was in for 2 days and the staff treated me with lots of love a concern to do well and gave me th esupport i needed. what to bring with you well all i brought was me and the rest was there.

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

no i had no difficulties post op and so far none

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 just wanted it over with so my new life could begin

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

just do as the clinic tells you and all is well, they will give you support and most of all pain meds which i was greatfull for having

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

i dont drive in the us so i had to depend on my soninlaw which was a blessing for me we live 2hrs away from the ypsilanti clinic and the only way it affected my after care was the need for a passport in june so i could get to my appointments.so far i dont have one so i will have to follow up on the phone

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.

i am only into my 4th week out and i am on purree foods'and i getso disturbed on what to eat next but that is me so far it took me a lot of self disipline to stay on track i plan on going to a support group so i can keep learning

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

i had high levels mostly but rarely low ones

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

protiens,chewable vitamins bugs bunny

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 am to early out to say but so far only nausiated a few times

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

the going back and forth to the clinic for follow ups so far with the new laws needing a passport has been the only down fall for me

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

i find support very important but i do it alone with my daughter who does not understand the greatest now i intend to startmeetings at the support group in windsor in which i feel the need to do

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

i thought they would be very visible and they are not that bad

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

family seems to worry about me more than before and always come down on my eating i know they love me but please have faith in me so i can just move forward and live.my new life