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

from my friend, who's husband had it. Was a little iffy about it, but investigated and made the right decision.

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

follow all instructions, never give up, go to all needed dr. appointments. I was approve on my first try.

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

Have a list of questions ready. Dr. Raul Rosenthal, my surgeon was awesome, made me feel very confident about my decision.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt if I didn't have it I was gonna die.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I needed the more permanent one, the one that would allow the most weight loss.

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 feared the risk of infection and blood clots post-op. Neither one was a problem.

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

Great stay. Had surgery on a Thursday, discharged on Sunday. The Cleveland Clinic in Weston Florida is a beautiful facility. I brought some toiletries, something to read.

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

I developed a post-op stricture. I was dilated four times to have it corrected over 8 weeks. All better now.

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

Excited. No anxiety, just excited, I was soooo ready.

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

I still had the desire to eat mentally. I had to get use to not eating like a hog, I am still working on that one.

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

Four hours. I had a surgeon here in town that was trained by the actual surgeon who did my surgery, he has done my follow up care.

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 still can't eat much. Lots of refried beans, cottage cheese, cheeses in general. Still having difficulty with lots of foods, I am five months out.

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

a tad slower than normal, but since losing 124lbs in five months, it has increased dramatically.

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

All the ordered ones, the list is long.

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

None, not many available in my area, obesity help is my only source of support, along with friends and family.

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

Seven punctures, fading each day, not so bad, worth it to me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Just continuous weight loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Just more compliments.