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

From a good friend. My first impressions was there is hope and a way out.

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

I didn't have any problem with getting approval, because I made sure I follow all the instruction of my doctor.Make sure you just follow through with the information the give you

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

He made me feel very secure about what I was about to do. Go in with pen and paper and feel free to ask any question. And remeber the dumb question is the one not ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that I didn't have any problem with the approval process. And caring spirit of the doctor and his respect for my decision.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I choosed to have open because of my experience with lap.

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?

My fears was very great. The fears is really a good thing, because that way you will always keep in mind the important of the surgery you had and you won't abuse it.

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?

They was not very happy, but they respected my decision. They were there if I needed them really bad, most of the time I tried not to call upon them this was me decision that they didn't approval of, therefore I had friends to help me most of the times. It has gotten better. They are begining to tell me I look nice, and spending more time with me.

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

I didn't tell any one of my decision until 3 weeks before surgery, because I didn't want deal with the neg. part of them. I was out for 8 weeks and when I came time I hard time with my boss. She suggested that I resign several time. I had to change shift so I could work with people who did't know me very well. Even then she would send me messages. After about 5 months of this my mother became ill with cancer, they wouldn't give me a leave, but gave me a chocie of resign of come to work that day, which at this point I in the state that mother lived and there was no way I could get back in time for work. Therefore I ended up resigning from the job. Upon resigning I receive a letter from saying she could not deal with the change in me and she was sorry would for give her. I did. I am not working at this point I am returning back to school to get my degree in nursing this fall, so its was worth it all.I am enjoying my life.

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

It was the best stay in a hospital I have every had. I was there three days. Your favorite pillow, stuff animal or blanket.

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

very little, my blood pressure drop a lillte on the low side during the night after surgery.

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 very nervous and scared. I called and talk to people in my support group and ask my friends for much pray

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

I did a lot of sleeping,because seemed to get tried very easily.They should expect the tiredness because of the major stress that the body have gone through in the surgery. So take the time to enjoy the rest.

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

About 45 minutes.

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.

For the first four weeks I pretty much stayed on liquids and very soft foods, such as jello, broth, mash pototoes, applesauce, lots of water. After the first month I started with the grits and oatmeal, mashed banana. In the third month I added tuna, apple juice mixed mostly with water.Through the fourth and fifth month I beans such as lentals, more green veggies,and fat free stuff like yogurat which I didn't tolerate well. My six month I tried a diet soda mixed with water it was ok. Around the eight and nineth month I started adding things with more sugar in it such as Ice pops, sherbert,. So now I am in my 14th and a half month, I have done with all foods except yogurat, pasta, corn, rice so I don't even attempt to eat these four things at all.

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

The first week I only walked around in my house because I had open surgery and could not go up and down the stairs. The next week or so I walk one block twice aday. In two months I was up to one mile and a half. So I walked every day for six months after the thrid month I up to seven miles a day and running four of them. After going back for my check my doctor ask me to slow it down a little. So I still excirse after 14 months.

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

I took the flintstone, caltrate, and B-12 shots, Now I talk mircale 2000 liq. vitamins, Noni Juice and B-12 shots

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?

My worse was the hair loss, I just change the style got a shorter cut and loving it. The hair started about the 4th month after surgery lasted for about a month, I wasn't so bad just thined out more than I liked for it to have been.

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

The wait of having it done.

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

I have the North side Wls group. Most of all my friends and wls patient to talk to. To have someone to talk is very importrant, because you can't do this alone. Because you will have down moments therefore a listening ear is very helpful.

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

My scare is about the lenght of the pointer finger. It has healed very I didn't and problem with kelodes. Yes it just what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I weight continuely until about 80lbs which was at about six month after surgery. It was the ninth month before I lost the next 20 lbs. Now I still have about 15lbs to go and I am ion the 14th month. So am at another plateau I have to increase my work out and watch my calorie intake.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, some have problem looking at me when they talk. They tell me its hard for them to adjust to the change.