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

I had been thinking about this for a long time. I used the web, to find out the things that needed to be done. At first I wasn't sure this was for me, but the more I read into it, the more a lot of what people were saying was me, but in different skin.

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

That I'm still waiting on.

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

I get to meet him this week. Pray for me!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My family, my health.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I still haven't made that 100%.

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 know that not having this done, far out weights getting it done. If I dye, I know that it was for something I need to have done, and tried, better then not trying!

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?

Everyone around me is happy that I'm thinking about me well being. I know that I have a very loving family that will be there for me 100%!

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

I have Multiple Sclerosis, so I don't work.

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

Not at this point yet.

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

Not at this point yet.

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

Not at this point yet.

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

Not at this point yet.

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

I have to go to Boise for this and thats 4-5 hrs away.

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.

Not at this point yet.

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

Not at this point yet.

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

Not at this point yet.

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?

Not at this point yet.

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

Not at this point yet.

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

Not at this point yet.

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

Not at this point yet.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Not at this point yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not at this point yet.