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

My family doctor spoke with me about it when I came to him with my weight problem & felt like everything I tried to do to better myself was hopeless.

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

Getting approval from your insure company can make you crazy, in some cases it is almost as hard as trying to loose weight on your own. The best thing I can suggest is to submit photos from as far back as you can showing your weight problem. Also a 5 year weight loss/gain chart along with all of your physical & emotional problems as a result of your weight. That is what finally got me approved. That & having wonderful office staff at my surgeon's office.

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

My first experience was a good one, I had already researched the topic of weight loss surgery very thoroughly on the internet, & in books & magazines. I knew what to expect, & what questions to ask the surgeon. It made my appointment go very smooth.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery almost immediatly without hesitation. I knew that the good would outweight the bad & I wanted to be healthy, not only for myself, but for my family.

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

It was fine, I was in 2 days. I just brought my own sleepwear, & a book to read.

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

I had none at all & 2 yrs out I still have none.

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 actually surprizingly calm because I wanted it so bad.

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

heck as soon as I got out I was doing everything I did before I went in, I really did not experience much pain or anything!! Now when you go back & have the drain tube removed, that hurts a bit.

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

About an hour.

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.

Nothing really changed at all, except I was NOT hungry for the first few months AT ALL, & had to force myself to eat.

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

Good

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

regular vitamins, & protien drinks.

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 was fortunate & had none of these.

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

nothing

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

None

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

I have six tiny little scars, that can barely be seen.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really, except for those who knew how big I used to be, they are all in awe.