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

My sister had it I liked the idea

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

Do it no matter what it cost you you will never be sorry

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

Do your own research

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I found one I could afford

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Asked the Dr.

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?

My fears were small compared to the fear of how much longer I would have lived without it. My quality of life was pathetic and I felt like I only had a few years to live

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 supportive for the most part although most didn't agree with me going to Mexico to have it done

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

I was out six weeks and my employer was very supportive

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

I wasn't offered one

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

Stay was very nice hospital was clean and very well staffed The most important thing to bring is someone with you

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

No 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?

FANTASTIC!!!!!! 20 years younger and I have my confidence back all meds are gone I feel great. The only anxiety I have felt is what if it doesn't work for me. Or I gain it back

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

SUCUCESS!!! Expect massive loss

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

to Mexico from Ohio. I do after care with my family Dr.

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.

grease was my main thing to stay away from and long noddles

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

95% more energy

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

b-12 and multivitumin

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?

Some vomiting from eating to fast usually only lasted a little while

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

Not being able to have water for 72 hrs that is 12 hrs before surgery the rest after surgery

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

None except my sister

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

Virtually none

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit a plateau now and am not lossing near as much as at first

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES