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

Television show describing surgery.

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

Healthnet. Very easy. Approved in 2 weeks.

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

Answered all my questions!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

A friends death at age 62.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Surgeon recommendation.

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?

Surgery is easiest part!

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?

Afraid I would die.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Had surgery during summer vacation. I'm a teacher.

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

Private room. Bariatric unit.

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 was so excited I couldn't stand it!

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

Some depression.

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

10 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.

Could eat yogurt and applesauce and chili. Couldn't eat sugary desserts or tomato soup.

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

Increasing exercise.

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

Stool softener.

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?

Dumping after sugary foods! 27 months out I still dump once in a while from sugar.

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

Going out to eat! Lol?

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

Monthly group.

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

Almost invisible tiny band aide scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

This summer gained 5 pounds and struggled to get it off.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Totally different. More respectful.