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

MIL and I was not up for it

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

I had no issues with my insurance.

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

he is a awkward person so it was okay.. ask lots and lots and lots questions

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i just decided..

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

only one able to for insurance resons

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?

Dont let the what if over power the what will be. stress will only make you eat more and sleep less so just go and do it.

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/are ok, my mom waited till after the surgery to voice her opinion and tell me how big a shame it was i could not this on my own..

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

not employed, full time student and classes were fine

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

BORING

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

I was there overnight, it was great. You need not bring much,something to keep busy comfy clothes

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

no, not yet

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 ate! I felt like i had better eat all the goodies I could before they were taken from me..not a good thing to do

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

It is an up and down road I am still on. I woke the other day and just cried half the day, tried to got o school and cried..

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

1hr

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.

first few days nothing, everything is off limit but broth and stuff. then day 10 starts the eating of cottage cheese and mashed taters and eggs.then day 17 you can startadding in regular foods. BUT NO coffee, no dark tea, no sugar of any kind (besides the diabetic,i prefer stevia),NO steak , for 6 months: no nuts, no raw veggies,no relish .some ppl become lactose intolerant, I think i maybe having issues currently with Peanut Butter..

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

busy

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

Vit D3, B12 injections, flintstone, gallbltter, claratin

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, i am only a week out so we will see

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

the feeling of nausea and getting the protein in.

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

na

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

i have 6 small incition scars and they are fine

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

only one week out and i have not lost anything since i came home 6 days ago

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet, except for hubbie is kinder