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

I found out about it a while back and I never thought that I would actually go through with it. I thought it was to far fetched. Then I researched it again in the beginning of 2009 and realized it was the right thing for me

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

Waiting for insurance approval is scary because you don't want to be let down after everything you have went through. My advice is just do whatever the doctor/hospital says as far as appt. nutrition.

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

The stay in the hospital wasen't bad I just got so tired of being there. I was feeling ok after second night and wanted to go home but I had the dreaded drain still hanging out of my stomach. It hurt soooo bad.

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

No compliations during surgery. I just recently came down with a Kidney stone 3 weeks post op it really sucked I am seeing a urologist

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 fine. I really didn't have any anxiety. I would just suggest for everyone to take it slow.

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

I traveled about an hour to WIlmington delaware and I live in Dover Delaware. It had no effect in my after care because there was a location that the doctor goes to near my home for my follow up visits.

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.

The first couple days I really didn't want to eat anyting the thought of a protein shake or any type of food made me sick. Now I can eat alot of things. I hardest thing for me has been fish and chicken I have not been about to keep those down.

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

The first week after surgery I didn't really exercise at all because I was just to weak and tired. The second week I felt great and worked out about 3 times that week now I work out everyday.

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

I take Forvia 2 times a day it's a multi vitamin and I take about 1800mg of Calcium Citrate. I take the chews, lozenges and crystals for 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?

I haven't had any of those side effects as of yet.

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

The drain

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

None right now

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

I have little scars from the surgery and they are healing very very well. That may be because I'm only 24 though.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't really had any as of yet but I'm not that far out

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No not really