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

i first found out about it was through another doctor he suggested it. i thought abut it talked it over with my husband and just did it.

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

i didn't have any problems wit my insurance that i had . the best advice i could give anyone is if you think you are ready for a big change then do it. but, make sure it is what you and your family want.

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

it was a long meeting but the doctor is there for any questions you or your family may have

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i have other health problems that need to e taken care of so in orfer for them to be taken care of i have to lose weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

p talked to the doctor and he suggested what was the best proceedure for me with my health problems

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 of having infections b ecause i had a severe infection before from previos surgerys so i was scared of getting another one. but i talked to the doctor and told him how i felt and he understood we kept a close eye on the incision and everythng was okey

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 all for it,i wouln't change my decision i believe me and the doctors made the right decision.my family amd friends are all here if i need them

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

due to my health problems i am unable to work right now

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

my stay in the hospital was ove night

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 ws excited about the surgery but the coser it got the more scared i got because i didn't know what to expect even though we talked to the doctor and he told us. but, i also prayed alot about it.and God heled me through it

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

that was the hardest nothing but liquids when your family come in eating the things you once enjoyed eating and you can't you have to fight that urge to want it i found that it was easier to leave the room go outside take a walk go visit neighbors or family just try to get away from it. it does get easier each time

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

i traveled 45 min. to have my surgery

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.

my first two weeks was liquids then the puree junk that wa sreally gross but.i made it through there was no problems with sny of that then came the solids now we have changes i can't eat beef,steak, pork chops,breads, or pasta but, it don't bother me i love i'm losing weight

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

i have alot more energy now i get out and walk everday play games with my kids i couldn't do that stuff before i was always tired or t fat to run and play ball with them

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

i only have to take a muti-vitamin

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 had the lap=band done so alot of this i didn't have i had the nausea and vomiting it don't last very long i still get it today from time to time

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

what you have to go through to have it done

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

don't really have one it was done laser

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no