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

While working at the hospital, had known a physician assistant who was working for a wls doctor and did some research about it before speaking with her. Was very scared to put alot of money into the first visit and not get approved, but didn't have that much too loose. Was sick of being overweight with no energy.

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

Get documentation all of the doctors that have put you on any prescription diet(s). Any documentations for problems, one or more that affects you while being overweight.

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

Don't go into the office cold handed. Do some research about the company and what you want done. You will also watch a video of the surgery, which will be very helpful.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew this was the only possibly was of losing the weight I needed to, and after spending certain amount of money that insurance didn't pay would make me stick to future commitments.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After watching the videos on the procedures from the first doctors visit.

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 didn't have any fears about having it done. I had total peace about it. By getting insurance approved after watching others around me get turned down after trying for a couple of years.;I knew that God had his hands in my life and it was suppose to done.

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 immediate family tried to talk me out of it, but my family back home was for it 100% and even helped me what was not covered by insurance. All my friends tried to talk me out of it and even scare me, but they were not in my position and have never been overweight. After having the surgery and loosing the weight, they were glad I didn't listen to them which some of them were kinda jealous.

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

My employer was glad I was having it done, but didn't like the fact I would be out of work for 6 weeks.

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

The first day was kinda rough. Didin't want to move, but nurses had me up that day walking. I knew the more I moved the better I would be and better getting over the soreness. I only stayed 3 days in the hospital.

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

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?

It felt great - like my life was about to change for the better. I was looking forward to it and kept thanking God for making it happen.

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

The first week was to me extremely rough. I didn't want to move from the couch and I couldn't drink my 64 oz. water much less 1/2 cup all day without getting sick, which I dehydrated that week. I wanted to eat more of the foods I was use too, but wasn't allowed those foods. I was hungry and as I drank the water, I ended up full and not eating. By the 2nd and 3rd week I had learned how to eat just a little and leave the table before I was full. Then get out and do some excerise.

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

Not far, since I'm only 3 miles from the hospital.

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 2 weeks, I think I lived off of a tbs or 2 of peanut butter. I then ate alot of vegatable and protein. I lost the taste for pasta ~something I use to love. Sugar was off limit for me. I had splenda instead which made foods taste alot better than sugar. Drink whey protein shakes with 1-2 egga and milk in it. Very tasty before or after a workout, alot of protein. Mostly drink water, but if drinking soda, only diet. Coffee, low sugar or none.

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

The first week I was not interested in any type of excerise. I had to make myself get up and start moving. By the 2nd -4th week I was ready to a regular excerise routine. The more I was able to fit into a smaller size the more movitated I became. Now, I love to excerise. It's my life, not food.

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

The vitamins and B12 that was recommended from the doctors office.

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?

Stayed nausea/vomiting ~ from overeating, dumping ~ eating greasy foods and anything with sugar in it. The worse thing was hair loss, it lasted for about 6 months. It seemed to come out in handfulls at time, but knew it wouldn't last much longer. It was part of having the surgery.

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

The worst part for me was having to go through all the paperwork from getting documentations from the doctors to psychologist visit.

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

I wasn't a memeber of a wls group like I should have been. I had support from family and friends which kept they expected weight loss everytime I saw them.

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

The scar is not very big and won't show after an amount of time. It is expected from any surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had many plateaus, but would change up my excerise routine to throw my body off in order to loose the weight. By eating alot during the day and increasing the protein you will gain muscle but loose the fat.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! There are alot of opportunities that come that never would have happened if I hadnt had the surgery. I get hit on by guys, and people in general just treat you alot different than if you were overweight. Its a fact, people perfer thin over fat.