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

i first heard about this surgery thru TV. i was intrigued with this. but never thought that i would beable to have it.

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

the Dr. that i went to her staff handled everything for me. i had no troulbe getting this approved

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

i had researched this surgery for over a year or more, so when i went to my first appt. i was well prepared . My surgeon just help me pick the right surgery for me based on my past dieting history.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

saw others have huge success with it and was tired of being FAT

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

my surgeon chose for me. i was adddicted to sugar so i chose the RNY

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 had no fears, this sounds unbelieable , but i just relied on my Faith to get me thru .

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 support system was good. even now post op.

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 had no prob. getting the time off . they are very supportive.

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

i was in the hospital for 2 nights. i would suggest that you bring what ever makes you comfortable. clothes for home, cell phone, chap stick.

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

none at all

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 was just counting down the days. i worked right up to the day before so i had no time for anixety

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

the biggest adjustment was making sure i got my liquds in and all my pretein, i was out of work for 2 weeks . the first week i just rested alot. my the 2nd week i was able to do just about anythign. WALK, WALK

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

almost 2 hours, this has not affected my care at all . my surgeon is worth the drive

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.

i ate pureee for 4 weeks, that was fun(ha ha) but if you have the mind set and the determination you can do wanythig. i still cannot eat eggs or chicken. i eat 2-3 oz of food 4 times a day. and rely on water and prrotein shakes alot.no sugar, which i have found i have no desire to eat now.

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

mild

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

calcium, adn a multi vitaimin

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 have had no side effects at alll

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

fir me the drain tube

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

no scar

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none so far

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really