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

My Mom!! Are you nuts!

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

Once and done, no waiting

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

I am a super organized person...I had all my paperwork done and my questions on a categoried list for Dr. K. It went very smoothly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Research I did on OH and other sites.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Reccomendation from my Dr.

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 worried if it would have to be open or if it could be lap...I got lucky with lap.

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 friends and family were all very supportive. A few recounted the "crazy after surgery" stories of people they knew.

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

The out of work thing was a real pain. I ended up only taking 5 days. It worked out though.

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

Stay was fine. I was in 1 day. It took the Dr. a while to discharge me due to his schedule. BRING a robe, slipers, and a picture.

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

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 felt fine. Actually i was too busy to worry about anything.

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

I pretty much went right back to regular life and work so I really did not have to much down time

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

an 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.

At first I really liked soft foods eggs were my best friend. Proten pudding was good too I used to love fish but have not been able to tolerate it since surgery...Red meat is GREAT!!!

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

Pretty much normal.

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

Multi vita, calcium, 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?

minor hair loss--Increased protein intake

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

Never having any clothing to wear!!!

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

None

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

tiny little 1 inch scars. totally expected it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateaued once. Uped the protein and got over it in one week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes...but honestly it is mostly my behavior. I am much more confident so my perception has a lot to do with it.