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

Saw it on tv and I was inspired at last.

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

The doctors office did everything.

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

He was very informative and very supportive.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My bad health.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Consulting with doctor.

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?

No fears at all.

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?

They were ok with it. Still supportive.

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

Not applicable, I am retired

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

It was as good as it could be. The staff was so nice and met all my needs. I only needed a change of clothes to return home in.

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

Just some nausea. They gave me meds to help with it.

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 just happy.

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

Nausea, nausea, nausea!

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

Just a few 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.

The first 6- 8 weeks I could not eat much except broth and jello, the next 6-8 weeks I was able to eat refried beans and soups, now I eat almost everything allowed with the exception of no noodles and no rice.

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

Very tired

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

I take chewable kids vitamins, calcium and iron and b12 and b12 shots

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?

Nausea is awful but I do my best to deal with it. I lost tons of hair and it has not come back yet. I hate this the most. I just pray it will grow back in.

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

Hair loss

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

I go to Alvarado supprt group. They are awesome people.

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

Very small scars, yes its what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've been in sortof a platue for a couples months

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes much nicer.