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

On medical TV. I started to read about it and i spoke to my Dr.

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

He was very helpful and kind to me. Dr Eric Hahn is a very good doctor, caring, understanding and friendly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health, i wanted to be healthy. Live longer and healthier.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Talkling to my dr and my support group.

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?

Nope, my doctor has a lot of years of experience with this surgery.

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?

wow they thought i was going to die. People need to learn about this surgery.

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

I dont work.

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

I stayed in the hospital 2 days, personally i think thats too little for a major surgery. They forgot to give me my depression medications and i had a severe panic attack. In my preop i made sure that they new the meds i was taking for my depression. They never gave me the medications and i started feeling bad in the hospital they didnt know how to handle it.

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

None....great surgery great doctor.

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

Im doing good. Feeling great.

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

Just a little gas pressure, but i was fine.

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

I live in Hayward travelled to Fremont not that far.

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.

Ice creme, bread, carbs, rice, meats.

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

Very high, i started walking the same day of surgery, i was feeling fine.

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

Multi vitamins, iron, b-12, biotin, zinc.

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 havent experimented nothing like that.

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

Loosing the weight before surgery, 30 pounds.

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

My support group in San Jose CA, they are awesome. Good Samaritan Hospital.

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

Very small.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, they say i look better.