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

several family members had the gastric bypass done several years ago. I was very impressed with bariatric surgerys

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

my experience with my insurance was great I had no trouble only advice would be always keep copys of everthing dealing with the insurance that way if any thing ever comes up youll have copys

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

it was great Dr Blaney is really good surgeon, by talking to the surgeon ask questions

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

tired of being over weight

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

reading up on the surgery and talking to others that has had it done

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 had no fears about the surgery, I would tellothers that if you ask question and do research onthe surgery that they planto have that it might help them also talk to others

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 was very supportive, they were there for me all the way and they are still real supportive

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

my supervisors were supportive I was only off work for one week

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

my stay was great I was only in there over night

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?

glad I finally got my date,I was ok

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

you will be real sore,that you might be asking for more help then you usally do

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

luckily I didnt have far to go about 5 miles

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.

your first on clear liquids for about 2or3 weeks then soft foods then regular foods and that when you really find out what foods you cant handle for me I made the decision to stop drinking soft drinks,tea,the day I talked to the surgeon, I also made the decison not to eat sweets,I do know that breads are one of the foods thart I cant eat

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

I seem to have more energy

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

viactiv chewable multu vitamin

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 trouble I have is when Ieat to fast are dont chew my food real good then I vomit

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

I really dont think there is a worst part

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

there is a support group that meets once a month that is real good but also there are people at my job and also at the doctors office that are great support

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

the scars are small no i expected big ygly scars

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i really dont have any right now

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes