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

A family friend.

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

Dr. Wongsas Staff was in touch with all insurance.

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

My first meeting was informative. People should ask as many questions as possible.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health was declining.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did a lot of research and I call on family and friends that had different surgeries and I made an informed decission.

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?

Follow the Dr.s instructions and be patient. Talk to as many people as you can. Once, you decide don't discuss it with negative people.

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 positive. They continue to support me as much as can be expected.

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

My supervisor is the best in the world. He and others were very positive. I told him about the bypass as well as the Gall Bladder and another procedure. I was off work 3 weeks total.

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

The hospital didn't have any rooms, me and another lady had to wait about 6 hours to get a room after surgery.

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

No. Nothing surgery related.

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

Little pain, ok recovery after the staples. I prayed and vented to my husband.

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

Mild pain, you need a few dedicated family members to help you.

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

2 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.

So far I can eat small pieces of chicken and any soup brooth. Slowly I try things. I am having some issues but I keep trying to introduce foods that are soft, baked and broiled meats.

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

Back to normal just a little slower.

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

One Flintstone Vitamin and liquid Iron.

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?

Vomiting, nausea and dumping. I get a severe pain in my chest when I eat. I pray this will go away soon.

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

After surgery you need a more informed eating plan.

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

Group meetings at the hospital, Dr.s office calls me and the hosptial has called.

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

7 small scars. I expected them.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none so far.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My friends and family ask several questions.