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

I had a doctors appt. and I was telling my doctor the knee pain I had and she recommended me losing weight and she informed me about gastic bypass and she signed me up on some classes to get more information!

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

at work we have really good benefits so I only had to pay my co-pay with was not much! think about all the money you spend on junk food!!!

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

my first surgeon I had a problem with then I asked for a different surgeon and we clicked very well he motivated me and under stood my situation and never judged me I felt like he knew my suffering!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I come from an obese family I was watching my family eat dinner and realize that we are hurting our selfs and I need it to change if I wanted to be healthy and live long with my husband!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

from the start of my even considering having a surgery I always had my heart set on gastic bypass I read about it and asked as many questions as possible.

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?

The way I looked at it I was killing myself slowly, living the way I was living unhappy and unhealthy. Of course I was scared but I put my faith in god and on my surgeon and I can wait to see the results.

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?

I am bless to have friends and family whom I can count on they have been by my side threw my new journey, there were a lot of questions and dout and I answered all there questions as best to my knowledge and we reserch our questions.

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

Am bless to be employed in a great company were I can take time off work and surrounded with great co-workers they are supportive and still have communication with am still on sick leave am just 7 day post-op.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

They gave so much information that educated me in what I was getting myself in to of course I was scared and honestly it took me a couple of years to come threw and I dont regret it so far, I attended to many classes in till finally I follow threw and am proud of myself.

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

I stayed in Kaiser San Francisco and I was treated very well I had no problems what so ever very clean friendly and healpful only complain I can think of is the bed was not soft enought for me lol but other then that I was treated like a princess. =)

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

I had no complications what so eveer I thank god!

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

Only problem I had was soarness and tired, after the second day I was on my way to my new journey.

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

Stock up on stage 2 follow doctors instructions 100% follow your normal routine walk everyday for at lease 30 minutes.

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

I live 45 minutes away from South San Francisco I have no problem going back for my check ups.

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 changed they how way I was eating I made sure I read My binder from Kaiser, I started eating smaller portions illiminated 100% all soda junk food stocked up in healthier food and took responsibilities on my own actions. 1 week prior to surgery doctor put me on a protien shake diet it wasnt easy at first but I managed to go threw it.

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

I continue to do my daily routine am just a little more careful on lifting up heavy things but am find I continue to walk for at lease 30 minutes but I do miss the gym I ove to challange myself in new equitment or time pace or whatnot lol cant wait to hit the gym!

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

Am currently taking vitamin B-1 / B12 Pepcid / Multi Vitamin I was scare swallowing them huge pills but I had no problems yet!

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?

well like I have mention am 7 days post op I had no problems yet I watch what I eat and how I swallow fod drinks and follow 100% doctors instructions.

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

I guess for me would be having to say bye to food period lol

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

My friends and family are my support group right know but I am looking foward in joining a Kaiser support group class =)

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

I have 5 little scars there still in the healing process and I was expecting a bigger insition

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Am looking foward in too my new journey am just 7 days post-op.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No I surrounded myself with postivie people and there inform in my new journey!