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

My family doc and it was an ends to a mean............. come on ahead

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

I had to wait over five year in the Canadian system with two docs approval. No OR time to cancelation after cancelation then went to get OHIP approval for States side surgery. Was declined because I had a surgeon and then I had to fight to reconsider there discision. AND thank God I did. Because April 1st was my big day.

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

Scarry he didn't want to do the surgery and at 360pds he only did up to 350.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

the weight and no luck lossing.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

weight i was at.

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 afraid of dieing. But I never prepared myself for so much self sacrifice. Everyone try everything else exhaust your options and be honest to yourself. you do eat it and don't need to

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 husband was devastated. and now after surgery he is wonderful as long as I'm well. MY other family arn't so supportive and my friends are acting funny with the loss.

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

Wonderful supportive and time off given. No question's asked.

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

I was there 2 days the staff were wonderful preop-surgery and post op private room next time though. Wonderful not anything else I can say

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

no complications except the food was hard to go down and still is some textures 4 months out

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 felt well but there was alot of head hunger and moarning going on.

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

to spend time with your self rest and do you diet to the tea. Don't give up find a good book and a good psychologist to help talk you through.

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

4.5 hours 480km. one way. Good followup up until I lost my birth certificate and couldn't travel back to the states the doc was great to forward it to my family do and continue with care.

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 textures are the hardest and I still can't get more then 4oz of cottage cheese Fluids go down wonderful

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

the toronto-ossg/yahoo.com was my biggest support and friend also a wonderful Psycologist.

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

5 little spots yes

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

several times there have been holdings or catching up times and thats frustating and then the weight starts to fall off again.,

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes some Wonderful and others don't know what to say to me or think I'm acting different.