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

A friend of mine. Yes I was impressed

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

I din't get insurance approval. If your insurance is giving you a hard time don't give up, and find other way to have the surgery. It is worth it.

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

He mad me feel very comfortable and answered all of my questions. Ask questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Due to my illness.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Kim told me which proceedure would be best 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 have any fears. You have to have alot of faith, and believe in god, and everything will be alright.

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 was all for it. No. Very supportive.

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

Very supportive. A month.

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

The hospital stay was nice. Three days. A robe, and a pillow.

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?

I felt great. I didn't have any anxiety.

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

It was painful getting up and down. Not to be able to do too much.

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

About 20 to 25 miles.

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.

No starches, no fruit juices, no pasta.

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

All u could do was walk for a few minutes, and sit up much as possible.

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

Building Blocks-Calicum, Iron, Multiple, and anti-ox

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?

Nothing

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

The pain after surgery.

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

Support group metting every Wednesday. Very helpful

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

No. I expected them to be bigger.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It was slow at first

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No