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

From my PCP. I was scared because of the things I have heard

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

I had no problems with my carrier. You need to follow up for yourself

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

He was very understanding and have all the questions you need to ask

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I want to live and I wanted to get back out in the world

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My PCP and I discuss all the different surgery

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?

Leakage and Put your trust in God

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 husband was very understanding and my kids was amazing

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

Everyone in the office is glad I had the surgery

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

THe staff was excellent and I had a three day stay

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

No

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 tired

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

Take it slow and don't rush yourself and you will see the results

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

Only 15 miles

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.

For the first couple of months only soft foods, and sometimes now I have problems with meats.

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

Tired, but I finally got some energy

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

Muti vitamin Biotin, Iron, Zinc, Vitamin E, 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?

Nausea is still a problem and beginning to see hair loss. The dumping is something you don't want.

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

The thought of having the surgery

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

None

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

Five very small cuts

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes