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

A friend of mine had it done and I seen the results happening before my own eyes.

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

I have Tri-Care prime and at the time I done the surgery it didn't take but a couple of days to be approved. I had researched the things that I would need to have done for the insurance and I had them already done before the 1st Dr.s appt.. My advice would be to have your ducks in a row before, that first visit.

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

Research! and ask all the questions you want. write them down.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Because I was not losing any weight and I wanted to be here for my family in the years to come.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had done the research about the different types and I felt like the RNY was the one for me to get the best results out of.

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?

Yes, I had the fears of not coming through the surgery but, I put the whole thing in the Lords hands.

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 supportive of the surgery and they supported me after the surgery by helping me to prepare my meals and to watch what I ate.

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

They were supportive of the surgery but they were afraid of the possible complication. I was out of work for approx. 2-3 weeks

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

The stay in the hospital was short, I could've went home the next day but I had complications with my IV and I had to travel approx. 3 hours home, so I was in the hospital for two days. Bring gowns that are easy to get on and off. Oh and slippers that are easy to put on so you can get up and walk.

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

No complication from the surgery, just problems with the IV.

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 scared but anxious at the same time but I would go through it again.

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

I didn't have an appetite for anything and when I did some of the things I use to eat I can't eat them now. They just didn't sound good.

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

I traveled approx. 3 hours one-way so I elected to stay in a hotel until I seen the doctor on Tuesday. I was released from the hospital on Friday.

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.

Very little sugars no more than 15 grams a serving today. In the beginning NO SUGAR, NO SODAS, and I still don't have sodas. I have to watch the fried foods and pastas and rice they don't seem to still well on my stomach.

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

I was somewhat slow the first month until the drain tube was removed., and then I could do more things. Now that it has been two years I have alot of energy.

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

I take two tums, one chewable multi-vitamin, biotin (for hair-loss) daily and B12.

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 had the hair-loss problem, but the more protein I had the less hair that fell out and I took the biotin tablet daily.

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

Having to have the physch. eval.. It was a waste of time for me and the DR. who preformed it.

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

I was in the local support group but I have moved to Texas and there is not a support group in my town. I would have to travel 6 hours to attend a group

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

I have 5 small incisions and they are fading away.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several plateaus, as we speak I'm in one. I have lost approx. 160 lbs. and I'm stuck at this weight and have been for approx. 4 months.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No.