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

TV, curious.

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

There were many hurdles, but looking back the time went fast. almost a YEAR!!! The insurance ladies that work for Dr David Dyer are persistent and very patient. Use them that's there job and they know what they're doing.

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

Dr Dyer was very thorough and professional. Do you're research so you have your questions for the surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

20+ years of failure.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research and my PCP.

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?

At the weight I was, and my age, what kind of life expectancy would I have had without the surgery. Only 2 weeks out I'm hoping for far better quality of life as well.

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 kept it a secret untill about 4 months from surgery. Till I knew I was approved. They at first thought it was too drastict a procedure to loose weight. When they saw that I had researhed and was excited about it they were behind me 100 percent.

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

Worried but again happy for me. Totally behind me. I was off work 2 weeks.

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

Normal. 1 day. My car keys.

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

No

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Excited and at peace. PRAYER

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

Pain. Fatigue. GAS!!

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

75 miles one way.

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.

Only 2 weeks out. Went from clear liquids to full liquids to blended to stage 4. Basically the Atkins diet, but much smaller. Mainly meat as in chicken or fish.

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

1st week...point a to pount b. 2nd week walked several times a day. By the end of the week I was walking twice a day for 30 minutes. 1.35 miles each time.

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

Multi with iron 2 a day, Calcium 2 a day, Vitamin D 1 a day. (I choose to get my omega 3 in tuna 3 times a week.)

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?

Sleep disturbance, 1 1/2 weeks.

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

GAS!!!

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

None yet

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

Small (5). Yes

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Not any

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No