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

A friend of mine had the surgery... All I was thinking was lose weight quickly!

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

I was denied from Medicaid years back (Affinity) My job insurance approved me (Empire Blue cross) Monthly weigh ins for 6 month and a letter from my PCP was all I needed.

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

It was great, he answered every question... Take notes and ask questions!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Fearing i would become diabetic or some other disease associated with obesity.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Information from surgeon

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 had no fears, I figured die from fat or die trying to have the fat managed... you have to go @ some point!

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?

I have a great support system, which is very important. i was supported all the way!

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

My job is also very supportive, I took off for 3 weeks and told them i was having GB surgery.

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

I was in the hospital for 5 days. bring your choice of diet liquid!

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

I couldn't keep my liquid down, alot of vomiting.

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 fine just a little tired feeling.

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

No food... not really hungry but still wanting to eat.

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

15 minutes from my house by car... no problem!

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.

I had problems eating everything! Still do... mashed potatoes are my friend!

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

Normal functioning before I left the hospital...

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

I haven't been taking as I should... Multivitamins, calcium and iron.

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, Vomiting and Hairloss... still around 6 months later!

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

For me the vomiting!

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

Just friends and family.. very important to have support!

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

Very small, they look like 5 little scratches.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm still going down...

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes more attention positive and negative.