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

I know a few people that have had it. At first it scared me. But as time went on and I did more research and Saw Carney Wilsons story I knew it was for me.

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

I have insurance from the Hospital that did my sugery so I had no problems getting approved for this sugery.

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

My first visit was a good one, he was very informative. People should write down questions they have and take them with them to the Dr. so they dont forget them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of having back problems and feeling tired and knowing that I couldn't lose this weight on my own.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Knowing people that have had this sugery and then talking with my Dr.

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 really didn't have any fears about the sugery, even tho i have never had any kind of sugery ever. I also am pretty healthy, I dont have any other heath problems and My Dr said i was a very good candidate for this sugery.

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?

All My Family and Friends were very very supportive befor and after sugery.They were all happy for me and my decision.

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

My Supervisor was very supportive and even called me the day of my sugery. I was only out of work the 3 days for sugery and then another week.Everyone at my work new about this sugery i was going to do and we talked about it all the time. 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?

My hospital stay was nice, the nurses were busy but were still very attentive to me. I was only in the hospital 3 days. I really didn't need anything. ( maybe bottled woater) LOL...

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

I have had no complications.

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 really didn't have any anxiety. Just wanted it to be over all ready.

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

When I first got home all i wanted to do was take a shower. I just relaxed and took care of myself. I didn't have alot of energy. I am now a month and a week out of sugery and have my energy back.

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

I only had to travel about 4 miles.

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 since I've been home I really haven't had any problems with food. Scrambled eggs set kinda hard on my tummy and bread kinda felt stuck but as for meats and other things I've been really really lucky.

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

The first days after sugery I just kinda laid around, and did nothing. Then after being home for a week I went back to work, I noticed the more I did the more energy I had. Now after a month and a week I do what ever I want to do. I don't do any heavy lifting tho.

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

I take a multi Vitimin and a antacid every night befor bed.

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 only vomited 2 times since sugery and this was because i think i ate to fast. I havent had anything else (yet)

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

I think the waiting for my insision to heal so I could go swimming. I really haven't had any problems. Thank You GOD!!!!

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

I belong to a couple of weight loss sugery groups online and they have been so informative. This is so important, i think everyone should go to support group meetings or go online and talk with others, this really helps you if you have ANY questions at all.

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

No it not what I expected, I expected this looooooong scar, My scar is about 3 inches long, I am very happy about this.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My second two weeks i only lost 3 pounds, but I have been losing inches, so this is ok with me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No Not really.