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

I learned about the surgery from my doctor and the internet!!

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

I never had any problems with my insurance my doctor and an the insurance company took care of everything.

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

My first appt. was short, never asked a whole lot of questions, Have a list and ask lots and lots of ?s

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I tried every diet and exercise known to man and woman,, this was my last hope.

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

my hospital stay was 6 days long,, it was pretty good, except for the bladder infection, the nurses were very nice and helped me whenever I needed help.

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

Just the bladder infection from the catheter being in during surgery.

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 very tired, couldn't walk very far, I kept wondering if I had made the correct decision.

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

take it slow, and rest often, don't rush recovery time

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

my travel time was about 130 miles round trip, wish it would have been closer, but the care at the hospital was awesome

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.

pizza is definitly off limits, I tried a small piece, , and it gave me the dry heaves, also grapes, I ate just the insides, but they stillgave me the dirreaha.

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

slow, but getting better

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

2 flinstone chewables, 2 tums, with calcium and 2 vitamin b12s daily

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?

haven't had too much except for dirreaha, and dry heaves.

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

the waiting before getting the surgery and the hospital bed, very uncomfortable

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

not very much after care,,

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

I have 5 tiny scars, about an inch in length, was expecting bigger scars was very pleased that they weren't

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

haven't had any let.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet.