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

Through my co-workers and friends at work

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

I only had to do one appeal before I was approved

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

I don't have a surgery date yet, therefore I have not meet Dr. Marving yet.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Because, I became very tried of the way my life is , I want to become a heathier person.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I am hoping to have the Laposcopaic YRN.

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 truly believe that my life is in the hands of God, and by his grace and mercy everything will be ok. My choices were continue on my present life pattern and die from diabeties and other illiness, have this surgery to try to improve the quality of my life. My fears are the same.

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 family and friends are very supportive, and have been noting but encourgeing

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

N/A

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

My hospital stay was very well. I stayed one night at the Medhodist hospital. The staff treated me very well, and they were very attentive. The most important thing to bring would be a house coat and slippers, so that when you are able to get to walk around your backside will be covered. Slippers so that you can be confortable when you take your first steps.

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

N/A

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 very excited, I did not know what to think or feel. My emotions were all over the place. As my surgery date got closer, I could hardly belive that this was finally going to happen to me. I tried to make sure that I completed everything at work before I left, and made sure that my daughter was up to date with everything.

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

This is my first week home, and so far everything has been going good. I was able to get out of the house with my sister on sat which was good. I do try to get exercise every day by walking to the corner and back. The hardest thing for me is not being able to drive.

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

I think that I traveled about 20 miles to the medical center. However the doctors office for aftercare is about the same, so there is no affect.

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.

Since this is my first week post op, I am currently only on liquieds. It's ok, I have been tolarenting the liquids very well so far. I am looking forward to later this week when I will be able to start on soft foods.

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

My energy level is pretty good, I am walking without getting winded which is good. Today, I made it all the way to the mail box and back.

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

I am currently takening a chewable vitamins for now.

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?

No side effects so far

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

none

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

Aftercare support is very important. I will be attending the OBS support group at my doctors office once a month. The support is import because it allows me to be able to talk to others who have gone through the surgery and understand my emotional and other needs.

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

no scar, just 5 little insessions.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

not yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet