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

I knew about it years ago, but I was too young to have it. Then it became a thing of the past for awhile. Now that surgeons are once again performing it, I am all for it. My friends say it seems drastic and scary, but I don't think its as scary as spending the rest of my life obese.

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

I can't try for approval, as it is not even a covered procedure.

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

I was anxious to find out if I was eligible. I went to a seminar he held before seeing him privately. This was very informative and I would recommend it to anyone it is available to.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am tired of dieting, diets don't work, and the constant struggle is wearing me out and making me feel so negative.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I would have the Fobi pouch. I think its a very effective procedure from the research I have done.

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 am not afraid of complications or dying from the surgery. I am afraid of lifelong obesity. I would tell people to pray if that's how you believe, and go to a seminar for more information. The more you learn, the less scary it seems.

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 are supportive. One friend is scared, but she is the squeamish type. They know how I have fought my weight and how tired it has made me.

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

I haven't told them, as I haven't found a way to pay for the surgery yet. I think they will be supportive. If not, too bad, I have to do this for me.

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

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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?

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

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

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

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Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

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Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

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