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

about five years ago and checked out everyone of them and finally ended up with the DS which is a whole lot better.

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

I didn't have any problem with my insurance to approve and pay for the surgery.

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

At the consult and he explains things in a way that people can understand how the surgery is performed and what a person will expect.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It is something I have been wanting to do for so long and I researched the diffferent types of surgeries.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided the have the Duodenal Switch done since I know someone else that had the surgery and she referred me to Dr. Keshisian.

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 really have any fears.

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 is treating me alright.

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

I am disabled.

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

My hospital stay was excellent. The nursing staff was great. Comfortable clothing to wear home.

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

The only complication I had was when my sugar level spike and I was given insulin. I accepted it.

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 did have a little anxiety.

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

It is only been a week since I have been home and most of has been poopy. A stinky bathroom.

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

It is only 22 miles to Delano from Porterville. It doen't really affect my aftercare since I am close enough. The only thing I have to do is schedule my appointment around my parents since they are my ride.

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.

So far I am on a liquid to a soft food diet. I know I can't have any soups with pasta in them. I want to have some crab meat.

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

Some walking

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

I am a mutivitamin, calcium 3 times a day.

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?

I have had nausea a few time. I do have sleep disturbance and the worst thing is the dumping so far. I am just going with the flow of things.

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

The worst part so far is the pooping.

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

There is a support group the attend. I didn't go last night since it was only a week since I been home. I get other support through the doctors website.

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

I will have a six inch scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I really have not any plateaus yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet.