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

well i was looking into lap band and going to mexico to do it . i met a lady in a doctors office we started talking and she told me about her being there to get a check up to go overseas and that she had gastrobypass a yr ago ..she looked great from losing 100 lbs she said ask your doctor about a referal and i did and 2 weeks later i was having it done

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

wow it happen so fast ,i got a referal then a week later i was in the doc office then 2 weeks later i was having surgery

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

wow my dr was awesome no question is stupid ..so ASK

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

well i was a sick lady diabetes, angina, neupapathy, sleep disorder, depression i took 22 meds in the am and pm 3 insulin daily ..i was slowly dieing so i said GO 4 It!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

my insurance covered the gastro bypass

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 cryed but i wanted to spend a life time with my hubby and where i was in my health life that was not going to happen

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?

sorry to say i didnt care what they had to say ..for it was my life

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

was a house wife

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

my stay was great great support in and out of hospital \ i was there 3 days

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

i got an virus they treated me and i was ok

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

wow it all went so fast i cryed and leaned on my hubby alot he is my HERO

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

Have people in the house with you as i couldnt bend i also needed help in the potty and i also had a recliner there was no way i could get out of my couch ..

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.

no Chicken - no burgers (fast food) no fried foods that is to this day also

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

day one i was walking the halls in the hospital i was good in the begining and then i slacked off now i am walking again learned today about Zumba oh man it is soooo fun

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

multi vitamin liquid/calcum liquid iron

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?

hair loss on man i was looking for a wig but i found Biotin and man did it help then i also used protien shampoo ..about a yr i delt with this it was very depressing but i had my hubby to get me through ti

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

NOTHING........i would do it all again

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

i ddont have any

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

ugly...yes and no

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

yes i lost 80 lbs and now i am at a plateau for a yr now

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no