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

saw is on TV and thought that was a scary thing to do

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

Um I had a very easy time with it only took like a month to get approved and like 2 months tell surgery It was very easy and my pcm and, surgen was all very help full

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

was very over whelming but good ! he was very nice , talkitive made it very relaxed and answear all ? we had

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Cause I have tryed all diets and due to my wiehgt I started having trouble with high blood pressure !!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

well that was tuff I first wanted the lap band untell I got more info then went with the sleeve I am very happy with my decision

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?

Oh my biggest one was dieing because I have 3 small kids that is what kept me from doing this surgery for so long I do have one complication but not from surgery it was found durning surgery so in a way it was a blessing !!

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?

well all my family lives in another state most was support of though a few were scared of it !! my husband is my biggest supporter he did the hole liguid diet and everything with me he has been wonderfull made much easyer to get threw this !!!

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

im a stay at home mom !!

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

Yes I was glad I attended got alot of info !

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

um i was there over night it was a good stay nurses were nice I was so out of it though

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

um none really its hard to get up and walk at first will power is the best for this

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 got my surgery date at last minute only did a 5 day liguid diet I was very excited but very over whelmed with it and sometimes wanted to back out but didnt and I am so glad !!

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

REST that first week make sure you have someone there who is gonna be at your side your gonna need it I could not get up and go potty by my self so a good supporter is a deff I think

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

Did not have to travel I live on an Army post they have Baratric surgens AT out post hopital

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.

ewww so far my tummy dont like celery of broccolie and cheeses soup came right back up !! I do good with cream soups, eggs , out meal fish mashed tater and gravy so far

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

um first week not much of nething then I would get up and walk my hall way and such Still just walking for right now tell me tummy aint as sore in spots !

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

I take HEB brand of a multivitamine and still so protien shakes !!!

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 get nausea here and there and it been about 2 weeks since surgery and I have trouble pooping goo a few days in between with out going

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

for me was walking after wards, and the cathater, and the gas bubbles

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

I go to weight loss nutrition support group they have at our hospital very important I think u get lots of usefull info and u meet others who r going threw what u are

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

they are not bad 5 small one on my belly not bad at all

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I guess just making sure your eating right

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet only been two weeks