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

I had heard about it through t.v. and friends and I had always said if I could do it I would.

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

I never had a problem with my insurance, I am very blessed everything was just approved and I know that I am very blessed to not have a bad experience

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

the physical problems

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Going and meeting with the surgeon

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 so scared at first but I had to tell myself that I should be more worried about being this weight! I prayed alot and even going into the surgery room I was not afraid. I was confedent! I know that my God was walking in that room with me.

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?

I have a very supportive family, they never discouraged me at all

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

I am a stay at home mom

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

I was at Stanford Hospital for 4 days, I could not tell you how great I was treated. The best Hospital ever. The nurses where very helpful, nice, simpathitic. I can not say enough about the people and the hospital.

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

No Its been only 2 weeks and so far so good.

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 so excited, then the nurse Anna called and they asked if i would like to come in a few days earlier. I was so happy.

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

Its not a walk in the park, there is alot of discomfort but worth it.

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

about 35 miles, but worth it

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 have not experienced any dumping or anything like that so far. I hope it continues that way.

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

just walking around my house, still sore and not able to really do what I really want.

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

I take B-12 sublingal, 2 flinstone vitamins, tums,

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 actually have had none.

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

my back hurts me really bad.

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

I have not been able to since I just had surgery but I do plan to

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

Its not to bad, I did get an alergic reaction to the surgical tape and I have been using neosporin.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well at this point I just can't believe how fast the weight starts coming off, so I am looking forward to more plateaus, its still too soon.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No just excited for me. I feel like no one has been any differant to me.