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

I think I heard about it on t.v. and I was proble about thirty pounds over weight then and I thought it was the most amazing thing and I saw how it changed peoples lives. The peoples stories moved me. Then I heard people speaking against it and I thought mabe they have a fear that being skinny makes them important and if everyone is skinny what do they have. It made me really excited for those who were overweight because you know life is hard for them.

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

right now I havent even sent in for it. i have the informational meeting in november. I have already gone to one but i could not go throgh the people i saw.

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

Haven't seen him yet. it's been along long long wait for him

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It took me a while but after many tries at it on my own and the constant down fall of my health I knew I had to do something. I just couldn't live like this anymore.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

my aunt had it and because of the type of foods i eat

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 definitly scared but i realized i could just as easily die from obesity and i would rather die trying then with another burger in my hand. It is definitly your choice that you have to make .

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?

why dont you just try losing it on your own like i haven't. no,

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

It was nice i didnt want to leave. i stayed for four days. you should bring magazines, your own underware,brush.

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

i dont know if this is concidered a complication but dehydration and low potassium and its been two months.

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 a wreck physically and emotionally. the only thing that helped was this web site.

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

it was hard eating and drinking feeling tired and just pretty bad. i felt like i gave myself a disease. but just push through and things get better.

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

i traveled five or ten 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 few weeks it was mainly jello pudding and plain soup.

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

its been low even now two months out.

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

centrumkids complete and b-12 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 and racing heart. still persist

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

trying to eat enough and drink enough with out feeling like crap.

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

you see a nurse once a month for the first year. they also have meetings every month you have to attend. it is very helpful.

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

it's big and six inches long but all well. its what i expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i would go two weeks with out nothing then all of a sudden be down five pounds. for me thats been like that the whole way through pretty much.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes i actually notice that guys notice me. its been along time.