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

Dateline News, then later a friend

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

get Prudental or Atnea

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

It was wonderful you do have to try w/ Dr.Yasrebi he gives you his all! He is a perfectionist, but he is great with his direction you will minimumize side effects!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When my friend decided and did it and was complication free and I did research and found out that Dr.Yasrebi who happened to be here in my home town was so highly recommened!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Internet and the support group, and two friends who went to Dr.Yasrebi

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?

None, I was dying already slowly but surely. Besisdes there is only a 1% cahnce of death!

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 didn't want me to do it but now they say it was the best thing i ever did! Now, 2 years later, they reccomend the surgery!

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

At first they didn't want me to have it, they also agree it was worth it,I had the surgery on Mon.and worked that very Sat!

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

It was nice because I had a very particular surgen who kept the staff on their toes! I stayed 1 day from 7am on Monday till 9am on Tuesday. Bring a supportive friend/familymember!

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

No complications at all!!!!!!

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 was alittle tired from major surgery, but excited and very hopeful!

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

I wasn't hungry at all the first week, but after 2 weeks I had hungry and was not sure what I could eat. I had to learn how to chew properly and then I was fine.

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

In Town!

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 didn't eat the 1st week and by week 2 I ate broth. week 3 mashed potatoes, but after this surgery you get full very easily! By 3 months I could eat almost anything but had to be very careful about chewing properly. By 6-8 months I could eat anything! proper chewing has become second nature! Now I can eat anything! Especially pizza!

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

I went back to work 4 days after sugery. I was alittle tired at first, but not pain. I was extra careful about my wound.My energy returned after about 3 weeks! When I was off all meds and pretty well rested.

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

1 natafort per day and 3 viactiv chews daily

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 had none! Some hair loss after 2 months which I was able to hide and now all is back to normal!

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

figuring out what I could eat in the weeks and months after surgery. The first 3 months are hard, but they are so worth it it is like having a baby, no one cares about the labor afterwards!

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

Dr.Yasrebi's monthly suppory group and Newsletter!

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

It is about 4 inches long and I still wear a bikini! I don't mind it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Some plateaus here and there for about a week never longer, untill I reached my present wieght of 135 lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I am like a perfect being to people. I get all kinds of attention and assistance I never got, but I am still me!