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

TV Commercial. I wondered if I qualified.

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

I was impatient and worried I wouldn't get approved.

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

Very comforting and informational. Write down your questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt like I needed help lose weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I felt gastric was drastic 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 didn't.

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 shocked but supportive.

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

My roommate was inconsiderate, But the staff was great. I stayed overnight.

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?

Hungry and sore.

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

Don't worry about stretching your pouch out.

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

1/2 hour

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.

Off limits for me are breads. Sometimes pasta and potatoes . Absolutely no carbonation. I gradually tried new things. I get scared when a food doesn't go down and forms mucous especially when i'm out.

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

I work out 2 to 3 times a week.

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

Vitamins

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?

Vomiting and hair loss is the worst. It still happens.

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

Recovery from surgery.

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

I see a psychologist regularly. He works with my surgeon.

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

Hardly noticeable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stopped losing weight for 10 months because I was afraid to go back to my surgeon because I hadn't lost weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No