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

I was told about surgery 3 years ago. I looked in to the lap band but my insurance did not cover it yet. I though it was a great idea to have surgery to help me loose weight.

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

My insurance said ok with in 4 days of turning in the paper work. Pick a good surgeon and if you have a good surgeon his staff will know how to handle the insurance company.

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

My first visit was great. I had a meeting to attend it took 5 hours. He told us about all the surgerys he did and what they looked like. He has a book that he hands out which tells you step by step what to expect and do. Ask questions at your meeting listen well to what your surgeon has to tell you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I dedided to have the surgery because my surgeon treated me like his family and he does not like to just do surgery and run. He wants to make sure things are going good with you.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Talking to my surgeon was it for me. I wanted the band had my meeting with my doctor he told me about the vertical sleeve and that is what I got.

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 that I would die having surgery yes that is true. I just kept telling my self now a days surgery is better than ever. I could die walking out my front door. that is how I got threw this.

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 was scared at first the though of me letting some surgeon cut 85 percent of my stomach away scared them. My parents were ok with it after I told them all about it. My friends said great they were happy for me.

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

I drive a bus for a school so I did this in the summer break time. I did not tell my employer.

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

wow loaded question. My surgeon was so sure of him self at his seminar he told us he is good and he knows he is good. I though wow this guy is full of him self. But you know what he is good and not just good great. I was very happy I went to his seminar. I was glad I went because that gave me info I did not know about the surgerys.

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

The hospital stay was great. I only stayed 2 days. Bring underwear, chap stick for your lips they get so dry.

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

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 so excited to have this surgery. I went online and watched the surgery on you tube. I joined obeasity health. I talked to the vsg group all the time. The sleeve group was great they answered all my questions. And if they could not I called my doctors office and they helped me.

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

Gas pain gas pain. You have to keep moving to get rid of it. Stomach swollen so it was hard to get in all my water and protein.

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

It only took me 15 minutes to go to the hospital.

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 am unable to eat sausage it makes me so sick. Or fried foods but I should not be eating that kind of food so it is not a big deal.

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

I was tired the first two weeks after surgery. than by week 3 i was starting to feel great.

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

I take iron,calcium, malty vitamin, vitamin D, vitamin B each day.

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 did not have any effects after surgery.

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

The worse part was the gas pains after. It killed my upper shoulder.

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

I am online with OH and than my doctors office has a support group that I go to.

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

My scars are what I expected and they look good.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stall some times and that bothers me but I loose inches in a stall.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

OMG yes men treat me so different. They offer to help me more now and i tell them no.