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

on this site. my impression was very very excited

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

I had no problem in getting my insurance approved when I got the letter in the mail my first thought was that I was not approved. my heart was pounding, but when i opened that letter whew I fell to the floor crying and could not get back up (LOL)

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

I was very impressed.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I got tired of being tired and over weight and always being tired

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My Dr. Decideed

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 had no fears because I wanted this very much. BUt when I walked down that hall to the operating room for some reason I felt like I was walking to the electric chair,(LOL) but it was all woth it I just Prayed alot and put in in the hands of GOD.

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 all very supportive

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

I was in the hospital I think it was 3 days and it was very comfortable

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 had none

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

My husband tokk off from work and he was very supportive and if it were not for him helping me out I dont know where I would be now, everyone wanted to borrow him (lol) he measured my food, he helped me get dressed he was my savior, and I do LOVE HIM VERY MUCH. THANK GOD FOR MY HUBBY.

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

Not far at all about 30 minutes to an hour travel time

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 ate alot of baby food,yogurt,strained veggies, and a lopt of water.. no bread, no starches. and I keep everything down except a few time I had a problem of bringing my food up. but that only happened if by chance i eat something that had sugar in it NO SUGAR...

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

very very tired but after about 2 wks my strength level became stronger and stronger

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

b12 flintstones chewables lots of protein

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?

you know I have heard of alot of people having hair loss, I never had that problem I think it is because of all of the protein that I was drinking and eating....

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

getting up going to the bathroom and sitting down

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

the aftercaaare and support was my husband

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

WHAT SCARE (NONE)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a back problem and soon after my WLS I had to go into the hospital for a lowe lubar and now I have 6 screws in my spine and i can only do low impact excersice. i also have gained some weight but i am going to work that off

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Just people that I haven't seen in a while keep asking me how much weight have I lost