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

I first found out about bariatric surgery via family friends. They had it years ago and I figured I would never need it. Then my weight got out of control and I had to quit.

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

When it comes to the insurance approval and the length of time you have to wait, be calm and wait. The more you stress, the longer it will seem.

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

My first visit with my surgeon(Jorge Urbandt) was very informative. To get the most out of a meeting, take a list of questions and listen to what the surgeon is saying.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I made the decision to have surgery when I realized my weight was ruining my life because I was depressed about my weight and had NO self confidence.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I made my decision based upon the risks, the travel, and the fact that with lapband, I would have to go to my surgeon's office to get it re-adjusted constantly.

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 every fear about the complications from surgery. Honestly, just breathe. Everything will be fine.

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?

When my family and friends first found out about me possibly getting weight loss surgery, they were against me getting the surgery but now they are considering it for themselves.

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 very good. One nurse was quite rude and the orderlies need to learn how to properly move a patient after they have had surgery. I stayed for 2 days. Anything you may need in the bathroom and chap stick. My lips got crazy dry after a few hours because of no liquids.

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

The only complication I had from surgery was that I bled more than normal. Eh, I'm a bleeder what can I say. Luckily though, it wasn't enough to need a transfusion.

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

As soon as I got my surgery date I was scared. I was so nervous that every waking moment was, "what if something happens to me?", "what will happen to my son?" just stuff like that. I coped with my anxiety by cleaning. I was nesting before my surgery.

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

In the first few weeks home post op...really, there's not too much to expect. Drink liquids and lose weight. That's about it. Take pictures though. Your face will light up when you see how much you've changed.

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

I had to travel about 15 maybe 20 minutes away from my house to my surgeon's office, which was across the street from the hospital. Well, about 45 minutes with traffic.

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 post-op diet is strict but the whole process of the surgery is a learning experience. Alot of food are completely off limits, such as sugary and/or fried foods. Anything greasy is bad for you. Personally myself, I cannot have dairy. I am lactose intolerant bit it is common for a patient to become lactose intolerant after surgery.

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

I wasn't overly active after surgery but I was more active than I was pre-op.

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

Post op vitamins I had and am still taking include: -Iron -Calcium -b12 -Multi vitamin I'm sure I'm taking more but I can't think of them all right now lol

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 really didn't have too many side effects. My hair is already falling out due to my thyroid but, I really haven't noticed any increase since the surgery. I think the more you take your vitamins at the same time everyday, the less likely you are to have any hair loss.

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

I feel the worse part of the whole surgery process was how my nerves got to me. I was so excited at first but then when the date got closer and closer, I was getting more and more nervous.

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

For aftercare support, the hospital I had my surgery at has a post-op support group. Also my family is giving me so much support for coming so far.

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

I have a total of 5 scars from surgery. They are actually very small and minimal. I had expected them to be larger.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had a few plateau experiences since surgery. The longest one I have had last about 2 almost 3 weeks. I had lost about 62lbs at a little over 3 months post op. Luckily, I have started losing again. When you do hit a plateau, just stay calm, your body will jump off it soon.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Since surgery, I have tons of guys checking me out, asking me for my number. It is definitely different than how I was being treated pre-op. Yea it's nice to get the attention, but it hurts to know how shallow guys are.