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

My doctor always adv me of it. My first impression was CRAZY! I didn't know much about it and then as i started getting older i learned more and more. I have 2 aunts who had the surgery done and i was amazed. I did a lot of research and realized its a tool to help you loose weight. Meaning you also have to put the input. so my thoughts about it changed.

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

Nobody wanted to help me. So i had to miss college one whole year and work to pay for my surgery myself.

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

My meeting with him was great. I thought he would be brutal and just be a little rude. He was not @ all. He was very sweet, caring, and very informative.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When the doctor told me if i don't do something i will not be able to have kids. That was 2 years ago. and i was like 17yrs old.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor told me which one would help me out. and gave me a lot of info on that. and yeah we decided together.

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?

Honestly, i gave everything to God. I had no worries because i knew i would come out of it just fine. If people are going through fear my advice to you is, never have fear or doubts in your mind.. or that is going to come to you. be positive and thats what you will get back. this decision is between u and ur life.

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 friends were confused to why. They said i'm beautiful and i didn't need it. Some of them were happy for me and wished me the best. I lost a boyfriend because he didn't agree. My family were happy for me and wished me well. They are very supportive! i love them.

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 of work for 2 months. they were happy for me and were willing to help me out. they gave me my job and waited for me to return. when i came back they were all amazed and excited to have me back. it was great.

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

I was treated well at the hospital. The nurses were amazing! They really did an amazing job. I only stayed there 3 days and 2 nights. The most important thing to bring is comfortable pj's and shoes. and ur toothbrush and anything to comfort u @ night.

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

I did not have any complications with the surgery. Everything went excellent. The only thing that happened is that i kept loosing the needle in my hand. The vain would be hard to get. That's it really.

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

Honestly i felt like it was all a lie. Like i just didn't feel anything. I thought it was a dream. I was just way too mellow that week.

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

Well the first night @ home was HORRIBLE! i was not able to sleep and i was very shaky. the 3rd night @ home i didn't feel so much pain. I was able to get up on my own. In this period u really have to try not to talk a lot or u will get filled with gas. It hurts too. And also u will be very sore but it's not painful to the point where u think u wont be able to make it.

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

I had to go to a diff. country by plane. I went to Venezuela. The hospital and doct. was 1hr away from the city i was staying in. The ride back to my grandmothers house was not pleasant @ all. I felt very weird. nauseas

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.

well i was in liquid diet for a WHOLE month. i was only able to drink gatoraide, insure, water, pear juice and apple juice. also drink the liquids of the soup NO SUGAR @ ALL. thats it. it was hard. i wanted to eat chicken soo bad. then after that i did semi solids for 10 days and more solids the next 10 days. now today i am able to eat whatever i want but of course in small small portions and i have to lay off carbs to loose weight much quicker.

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

i was just walking around. nothing much to do. now i jogg here and there and i also go out swimming.

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

i take the chewable centrum, iron, and calcium

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 did vomit. they arent that bad... but it gets annoying. when i do vomit i just sit down and breath in and out. it still happens here and there.

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

the worse part for me was probably when the anesthesia was wearing off and i felt those pains. but again it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be.

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

i dont have one.

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

my scars are very small... and yeah they are like i expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i dont really get this question.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really. i get compliments here and there.