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

Through friends at work. I was so excited

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

Insurance denied, I appealed. They denied a second time and my appeal went to the Texas Insurance Board. They overturned it. It was so exciting to know someone took the time to look at all my information and to know I was the perfect candidate.

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

I was looking forward to learning what my options were. He was doing the Rouen-Y and had not done a whole lot of Lap Bands.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Tired of being obese

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

He was doing the Rouen-Y and had not done a whole lot of Lap Bands. I do sort of wish I would have had the Lap Band now.

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?

Just normal fears of any surgery & recovery.

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 were very supportive.

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

Didnt discuss

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

The nursing staff was not real educated on gastric bypass surgery patients. It was like day 3 after my surgery & I wanted something to eat. They brought me a sandwich...LOL Absolutely no knowledge of bypass surgery. I stayed in for 5 days. Just bring ur basic hospital stuff.

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

Yes I had internal bleeding. I was really nervous about it but things worked out.

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

Very excited

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

I wont lie, there was alot of pain. With the bypass u definately need to keep the binder on. It helps so much. Eat only what is on your list to eat.

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

60 miles. It was a little difficult

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.

Could basically only eat liquids. Had trouble with meats even months after. Sweets made me very sick. I wish to this day I NEVER started eating sweets or drinking sodas...BIG MISTAKE

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

None

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

Flinstones Childrens

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?

Dumping, Nausea, Vomiting, Lots of hair loss. Its been 6 years & I still have dumping some.

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

The surgery itself, nothing. I wish I would have followed a Bariatric diet...oh I wish I would have.

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

None

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

Not too bad. Yes I knew I would have one

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Lots of plateaus. Lost, gained, Lost and now gained.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I really thought people would treat me different after losing 160lbs. But at 220, I was still fat to people and they treated me the same.