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

The first time I hear of it was on a commercial then I started reseaching it. It sounded dangerous at first.

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

It was not a problem after my doctor was for it.

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

I thought he was great but I did come with my reseach and in hand and my list of questions. I realy one have one question.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My normal yearly check up and my doctor says to me as usually your in good health but you need to loss weight. Then she told me I was 289 pound and at 5 feet, I just cried.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew I had already changed my eating habbits and I wanted a permint push so bi-passy was the only was I wanted to go.

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?

None

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 family was extremly supportive especially my mom. My daughter was scared. I was honest and told people the truth and I wouldn't have done it any different now. I had a wonder support group and I remained possitive about my decision.

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

No problems since I worked at the hospital were I had my surgery. I was out 5 weeks because I felt great so I went back early.

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

My stay was great. I had surgery on Wednesday and I went home Friday.

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

NONE

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 was excited and I spend most of the time letting my friend and family know it was going to go great.

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

I moved like a little old lady. But I kept busy and before I knew I was back to normal. I didn't know I would have soooooooooo much gas.

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

20 minutes

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.

I have had no problem with eating anything from the start til now. I followed the six week plan for building up to eating regular foods and todate the only thing that happens from time to time is I have horable gas pains. There doesn't seem to be a common food that brings the pain on.

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

My grandmother past away three day after I got out of the hospital so I did a lot of running around hepling get the funeral arangements together. I was moving probably more then I should have been.

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

just multi vitamins (high dose)

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?

Other than the gas pains, the hair loss is minum my hair is very thick. The dryness of my body drives me crazy. I use the pretty ;otions and five minutes later I am ashy. Oil Olay has the only lotion that seems to work the best for me. So as long as I use it I am fine.

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

The day before drinking the Go-Litely body cleaner. It was nasty and running to the bathroom was no fun either.

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

I went to the support group for six more months after surgery. I was helpful more for me before but after I just didn't relate to the group anymore.

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

I have 4-5 dots on my stomach

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My weight has come of so gradually that even now I still loss a pound ever so often.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, some didn't recognize me at first but never different.