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

My primary care doctor recommended I look into it after my weight began to cause additional health concerns. I was frightened and disgusted that I had allowed myself to get to the point where surgical intervention was now an option that I needed to explore.

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

Still awaiting approval for my first submission.

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

Dr. Olsen was amazing. He pulled up a chair right next to me and sent an hour explaining everything to me. He expressed to me that his program was strict because he wants me and all his patients to succeed. He was factual and to the point. I had a few questions written out that I was able to ask. He answered them and then walked me out to the receptionist to get the process finished. I definitely recommend reading and gathering as much information as you can so you'll know what questions to ask. Write your questions down so you don't forget to ask them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Reading testimonials from other patients as well as wanting to be healthier.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Roux en y gastric bypass because of the amounts of weight loss that can be achieved and maintained by adherence to the program.

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 feel that the quality of life that I can have after surgery combined with the loss of risks that my current weight brings makes the risk of surgery worth it.

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?

Supportive but concerned.

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

I am 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?

Waiting for this

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

Not applicable at this time.

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

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

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

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

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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.

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

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

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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?

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

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

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

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Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

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Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

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