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

I thought WLS was the easy weight out of a weight problem. I learned of WLS through my mother who also had the procedure done.

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

It was very simple, I had no issues on getting approved in fact my Dr. faxed the information one day and the next day I had approval.

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

It was wonderful he assured me that he could help me have a healthy and happier life. He has lived up to his word!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I seen what it has done for other people in the same situation as myself. The results were dramatic and I could only hope that it will work as well for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Dr. helped me decide what procedure to have based on the amount of weight I needed to lose.

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 scared for my life!!! I really was scared to death. But my family was there to support me through the whole way.

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 shocked because I had always been against WLS but they were very supportive of my decision.

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

They were very supportive and seeings how I work from home it was great while I was recovering. I could work for a few hrs then take a break much better on my recovery.

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

My stay in the hospital was less than 36 hrs. I was up and walking and laughing 2 hrs after surgery. I would say the most important thing to bring with you to the hospital is confidence, I say this because if you don't have condfidence you have nothing.

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

I absolutely had not one complication from my surgery.

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 anxious but once again scared for my life. My family and friends assured me that everything was going to be ok.

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

It was a rough first few weeks as I was getting used to my new eating habits. It was hard for me to get everything they wanted me to get in.

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

10 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.

Since my surgery I have been scared of food. I have had the dumping syndrome one time and I wish to never ever go through that again. You are unable to drink pop, eat high fatty and greasy foods, foods with high sugar content, no ice cream and I say bread is the devil.

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

My activity level has dramatically increased I stay active daily now.

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

Vitamin D and Children's chewables.

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 just started to see hair loss and I am 14 weeks out post op.

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

The anxiety and nervousness

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

I am in several support groups. I also have my mother who went through WLS.

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

I have 5 little tiny incisions, my surgery was done laproscopically.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No way.