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

I found about this surgery from this site. Well this is my last thing to get the weight off.

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

My doctors office took care of my approvel. I waited 3 weeks for approvel.

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

My first time I went to this doctor I felt like he cared and was very smart at what he does. I would tell everyone to write all the questions down before they go to their doctor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Not being able to play with my children and not being able to go up the steps with out getting out of breath.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

my doctor said what he was going to do.

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 didn't have any fear of dying. I put my 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?

Everyone was very supported. I had no problems with any body.

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

Well my days in the hospital were not that bad. I went home in 2 days. I never went to ICU and never had any kind of tubes. They were very friendly and help me as much as they could.

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 a little nervous. But as the day came I was more relaxed.

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

it was not bad. I just had a hard time sleeping in my bed. The lazyboy worked the best.

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

I traveled about 1 hour and It did'nt affect my after care at all.

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.

Well I ate baby food at first and then 2 weeks later I ate lunch meat. That didn't do to good. I ate soups and potatoes. Now I'm 4 months and still can't eat meat or drink milk. But I can eat anything else. BUT NO CAKES OR CANDY.

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

The first 2 weeks weren't good at all. I was tired all the time. Then I started to do a mile walk a day and that helped. Now I'm feeling like i'm a young kid. I can't wait to start jumpping on my daughters trampoline this spring.

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

Centrum chewables and iron daily

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 didn't have much vomiting,or dumping at all. I do have bad hair loss. I'm hoping it stops soon. I've been trying to eat more protein.

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

THE PAIN IN MY BACK!!! That was the worst pain I ever had. The Dr. said it was from the operation table. But everything else was great.

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

none

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

like a worm. yes.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES!!!!! Now everyone comes over to me to talk.