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

My old boss had it and I thought he was lucky.

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

I felt happiness and relief.

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

It was fine. I just wanted to get all the pre op testing over with.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My primary doctor finally agreed it was a safe surgery and a way for me to live.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor and I decided on gastric bypass together.

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 was afraid of blood clots.

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 was supportive yet worried.

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

They were great! I told them the trueth and I missed two and a half weeks of work.

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

My stay was average. Two nights. Bring your cpap.

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?

I felt strange at times, and I felt better every day.

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

Just walk a little every day. Sleep on your back. Each day you feel more normal.

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

20 min.

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.

ate pureed foods for two weeks than soft foods.

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

more and more every day

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

multi vit b chewable and calcium

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?

none

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

the hospital

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

I go to support meatings every month and doctor visits every month.

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

very small

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

girls look at me more