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

A friend had it and I wasn't ready.

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

Hire obesitylaw.com at the first denial. Insurance doens't want to pay and will do everything they can to avoid it.

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

Oh, wow. He's the best. Don't worry, he'll take his time and answer all your questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I couldn't do it on my own and I just wanted to be normal.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

A lot of research...a lot of talking to my 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?

none.

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?

Mostly they were happy and supportive.

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

Thrilled and very supportive. I was out eight weeks.

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

Except for one nurse, they were great. I was there three days. Bring a pillow for the ride home...and a fan.

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

nope

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 tired, but took it easy and slept a lot.

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

Just don't do too much and get one of those grabber things to help pick things up off the floor.

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

not far..just half hour maybe.

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 weeks was clear liquids, then full liquids, Next came mushies until finally hitting real food at 6 weeks out. I am avoiding carbs, sticking with protein first, then veggies and fruits. Have had no junk. Just recently began adding in whole wheat bread and pasta.

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

At first, very tired, but each day I seem to be having more and more energy.

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

just a multivitamin.

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?

The only thing that was a pain was not being able to sleep in my own bed. It took about four weeks before I could sleep in bed again.

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

Insurance approval.

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

I go to a nutritionist as well as attending weight watchers on a weekly basis for the accountability and weigh in. My surgeon has a support group but we keep missing it.

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

About six small scars..yes.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Just the dreaded three week stall. It lasted about two weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People seem to be nicer and more supportive.