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

My dad had it with the same surgeon and I was to proud at first..

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 and thought it was meant to be, but then they approved it.. Hang in there, if it's meant to be it will be!

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

Great, he was very helpful!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Seeing my Karate picture!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew I could loose with the band, because I have a high activity level!

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 really scared, but prayed that if it was meant to be that God would let them "approve" my 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?

They didn't want me to have it, because I can loose on my own, but can't keep it off!

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

2 weeks!

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Very hyped and ready for my surgery day!

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

It was great. The nurses were very sweet and helpful. I did well and left a couple of hours after surgery..

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

NO, just pain.

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

Anxious and scared. The night before I was so nervous and sick to my stomach.

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

You will have pain and not want to eat. The pain will be uncomfortable and it will be hard to rest. It is worth it when you see the scales and pounds go away

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

1 hour and a half!

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.

It was hard to eat anything, due to the gas!

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

It kept going up and up!

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

Bariatric building blocks!

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!

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

The gas and my scars!

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

They have been awesome!

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

It is there, but I love my scars, because they are part of me!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've been loosing what I should and maybe some more!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, men especially. They flirt and treat me different and women act jealous!