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

I think I say a commerical on television and I thought I why would someone wanna do that. But as the weight started to skyrocket I considered doing some research and when I continued to do so over 2 years the idea became more and more like a good idea. Then when I clicked on find a surgeon and Dr Dallals picture came up I just got the feeling that he was the surgeon who would do my surgery.

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

Well my first insurance carrier would under no circumstances pay for the surgery so I had to change jobs after talking my concerns about wanting to have the surgery with my friends. One of them said that their job was hiring and that their insurance paid not only for the surgery but for the tummy tuck as well.

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

It was good the team at Einstien at Elkins Park made me feel comfortable.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Knowing that it was the only way I could save my life. Having irregular heart beats and the being diagnosed as a pre diabetic made me finally decide to have the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I know I needed the strictist surgery.One that would make me eat less.

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 would tell them that if you are ill because of obesity the only thing you have to fear is dyeing if you don't have the surgery or die trying to live a healthty productive life. If you don't have a problem with not feeling good all the time and not being mobile or needing someone to help you do things as small as tieing your shoes for you then sont even consider independence. But if not its worth every fear you will ever have once you come home and start loosing the weight its like being liberated.

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 scared and worried about me.

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

My supervisor and coworkers were so happy that I made this decision. I was only off from work a week because I had the surgery during a holiday which was spring break so altogether I was out 2 weeks.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I did not go because I did not want to get flooded with information and then change my mind

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

It was a bit noisey but I was able to get sleep. I was there for 3 days. The most important thing to bring is yourself you won't regret it. But slippers and a night gown is what I thought I needed most.

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

No I did'nt have any complications.

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 couldnt sleep. I was nervous and I prayed that I would be ok.

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

Well you can expect to be depressed for no reason. You will not be able to sleep much. The post op diet follow it to the very end it is the most important thing you can do. The incisions have a fowl smell so be prepared and the wounds may come open is the staples come aloose.

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

I traveled quite a ways but it was worth it.

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 couldnt eat chicken creamed spinich greens

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

I have much more energy and am able to get around well.

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

I take 2 multi vitamins, 2 urisodols, 1 vitamin B12, and 2 calcium citrate pills a day. For pain I took Tylenol 3 liquid

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?

Sleep disturbance,some nausea, but only because I had forgotten I had just ate and I drank water.

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

The open wounds.

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

My family and friends constantly ask me questions. They go with me to my appointments and tell me how well i look and they even listen to me complain about my plateau period and they encourage me to be patient.

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

Yes all eight of them are visible but its a small thing compared to the obesity

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well six week after I hit a plateau I seem to have lost more when i ate more

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No they treat me the same but i get lots of attention