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

heard from a doctor long ago and was scared

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

lots of hoops to jump threw but don't get frustrated

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

he was informative and ask questions

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

from the people that i had talked to that had it done and the results that i had seen

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

thr doctor and i talked it over. he showed me the different ways

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 anxious but scared. I didn't dwell on the dying part of it because it is so safe and talk to the patient that have had the doctor preform the surgery on and ask them questions

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?

the support wasn't that great I guess I expected more

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

I'm retired

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

my stay was good they took care of me and helped me all they could

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?

talked alot about it to everyone

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

well I just got home and I'm still working out the kinks as to what to drink and eat. I thought I understood what I had to do but between being sore and tired it's coming along

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

45 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.

right now I'm on a liquid diet for two weeks nothing but broth jello water and protein drinks and I have to crush all my pills

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

tired right now but i need to walk 5 minutes a day

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

different kinds my wife helps me with that

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?

no problems so far

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

the waiting and the dieting

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

none but family right now

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

not bad I have worse

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet