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

I 1st heard of it from a friend in 2000 ( she had the lap-band preformed). I have always been for it.

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

Did not go through the insurance company

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

It was very informative. He answered all of my questions that i and my husband both had.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt that I had researched enough about what I wanted.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

from reading the post on obesity help, and knowing that I did not want anything foreign in my body nor did i want anything to be re-arranged.

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?

too personal

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?

many people, stated tthat they did not agree with my decision. They were very supportive afterwards

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

I have not told my employer/supervisor. I simply told them I was having a procedure and see them in a week. I was out for 1 week.

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

My stay with Vista was great. I only stayed the night and was released by 10:30 the next morning.

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

No, 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 felt tired and weak.

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

Tired and weak

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

I did not have to travel far. The center was located in my city.

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 can not handle white meat of chicken, fish, cold water and crystal light packets.

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

It is at a moderate level.

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

gummy 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?

None yet.

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

getting pre for surgery. the iv's, drawing of blood, and the shear aniexty of waiting to be wheeled into the surgery room.

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

I attend a local WLS support group located in Baton Rouge, LA

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

Yes, very small. Barely visible.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I experienced a plateau 9-14 day, b/c I lose 16 lbs in 8 days.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no