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

I first heard of it when I moved to this side of the state.

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

The insurance was easy I was approved within two weeks and had no questions asked.

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

I thought he was write to the point and I felt very confident in him. To get the most out of the meeting ask every question you can.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tried of being big and I was healthy at this point in my life but I new that would change so I had to do this now.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had no choice I was ove rthe max weight for lap so I went for the open.

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 pretty confident and didn't have to many fears.

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?

My family and friends were great and they supported me no and havn't stop since the surgery.

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

They were great and I was back to work within a week and a half.

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

The hospitol stay was fine the bed sucked my but hurt worst incesion. I brought myself and I went in on Thursday and got out on Sunday.

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

I had no complications.

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 felt great and was itchin to get out of the house I kept reminding myself to take it easy.

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

Its really weird eating that little amount of food but I didn't feel like eating nothing you need to remind yourself to eat. Yor life changes some for the better and some for the worse but its great in the end.

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

I only live three blocks from the hospitol.

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 could only eat purrified foods for the first eight weeks. I still eat a lot of what I use to but just not as much.

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

I was tired at first but as soon as I got into the gym I havn't looked back.

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

I take flinestones vitamins everyday and vitamin b-12 every other.

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?

I have had really no side effects.

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

Siting around after the surgery and not being able to go back to work.

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

I've only been once and it hasn't seem very helpful

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

Its pretty long but I had a major surgery so its what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've been average three ounds a week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yea the girls are looking a little more.