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

I had a sister-in-law that had it done in Kentucky and I ahd seen how it was working for her so I just decided that I was tired of being fat and wanted to do soemthing about it and boy am I glad that I did.It was a life saver.When I finally made up my mind there was no turning back.

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

For me I thought it was really easy to get approved after I had my gall bladder surgery.I know now that it is getting harder to get approved which I think is really stupid.If they would look at the overall expense of healthcare with high blood pressure and all the other ailments that we can have and then the surgery is jsut a fraction of the cost in the long run.It's almost like they are afraid that everyone will have the surgery and want need to take any of the medicine which would hurt the pharmacy's business real bad because no one would have to take alot of medicine anymore

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

Overall I had a good experience with my suregon.I first met him when he was my emergency room doctor.I told him that if he did my gall bladder surgery right then I would let him do my bypass surgery and I came out fine.He was very informative about the surgery.Good bed side manners.He was very nice and it explained things to the greatest length about the whole operation where you could understand it

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being fat and wanted to do something about it and I did and don't ever regret doing it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I took the one the doctor recommended for me

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 guess my biggest fear was dying and leaving my kids.I knew if I didn't have it I might not live to see them grow up and that was the main reason that I wanted to have it.My kids are young and their dad had already dies so I knew that I was the only one to care for them and I have always wanted to be able to do stuff with them for fun but always hurt in my legs because of my weight

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?

Well at first my Dad was set against it but I just told him taht if I didn't have it there was a good chance that I would die so it was like I really didn't have a choose.After the surgery everyone could see how much I was benefiting from it and they were glad that I went through with it.

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

They were pretty good about it.I just told them what I was having done and they were ok with it.I was out of work one week from my surgery and they were surprised that I was back in such a short time.

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

It was real good.I was there for 23 hours.SOme comfortable clothes to wear when you go home

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

no

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 real good.The first week I wasn't hungry and really had to make myself eat but after that I was great.

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

As you knwo everyone is different but I didn't have any problems and as long as you do what they tell you too then you will do great.

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

It was done in my hometown

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 only thing that I found out I couldn't eat is hamburger meat.AS long as you go by what your doctor says to eat you will do great.

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

At first they were alittle slow but after the soreness wear off then I was ok and could do alittle more as the days went by.

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

multivitamin

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?

The only time I had vomiting was when I ate some tuna and didn't chew it up real good that really made me sick and I had to go home from work so now I make sure that I chew my food up real good.My hair fell out for about a couple months then it stopped

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

Having gas that I couldn't get rid of and that really hurt.It hurt worse than the surgery itself

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

I was going to a group meeting not far from my house and it was really good for me.I guess getting a visual of other people losing weight and to be excited about how yoiu are going to look

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

I had 4 little scars and that was it

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lose then I get to a point wear I don't lose for about 2 weeks then all of a sudden I start losing again

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes they do.It almost feels like you are a human again with the way they act towards you.I like the complients