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

I heard about it from tv and my mother. All I know is that I wanted

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

It was very easy thank God. I got approved right away.

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

It was o.k. but I thought I wasn't gonna be able to get this surgery. Because I had to take classes first that I couldn't afford, But thank God again my insurance paid for it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had my mind made up even before I went to the visit.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I took the easiest and the best one for me

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 scared at first but the only think I can say Is pray, pray, pray, and they will be alright

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?

Some family members said I didn't need it, I wasn't big enough, or the surgery was for really big people. But I was really big. And they all see it now. So they are more supportive now.

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 stay went really well. I stayed for 2 days, and I brought a comfortable nightgown, comb + brush, and other things like soap, deodorant and stuff like that

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

Luckly I had no complications.

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 exited, happy, nervous, anxious, scared all at the same time. I just prayed and God fixed it

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

Well with me, I had an excellent recovery. I went shopping about 2-3 hours after surgery. so it really depends on your recovery. I did have some pain, but I have a really high pain tolorance.

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

about 10-15 minutes

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 couldn't eat no carbohydrates, chicken breast, sweets. I lived off of popcorn and pinto's and cheese from Taco Bell for a little while.

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

It was pretty good

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

Complete multivitamin, tums and that's it

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?

well I only got sick one time,I'm starting to lose my hair now, and I think losing my hair is worse for me because I love my hair. I have been out for 5 months, I am trying to eat more protein so my hair will stop falling out hopefully.

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

The worst thing for me is hairloss

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

none

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

It's good!! I have 5 1/4 of an inch long scars.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no everybody treats me the same