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

Heard about it on TV

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

I had no problems, and was approved after 1st letter

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

My first visit went very well, the surgeon, and nurse answered all of my questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of feeling bad, and wanted to feel better about myself.

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 was scared of the surgery, I got all of my ducks in a row, but I put myself in the hands of the Lord, and knew that I would be ok.

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?

For the most part my family was supportive.

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

My employer was very supportive.

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

My stay at the hospital went very well. The staff was great. I was in the hospital for 3 days, and had no complications.

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

No. The drain became uncomfortable and started causing me pain, at 6 days out, I had to go to the doctor, and the took it out, it was immediate relief.

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 excited, but nervous. This is a total life change, so I questioned myself alot. I talked to other people who had had the surgery, and went to support group meeting.

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

It was hard finding things to eat. I got really tired up scrambled eggs, and soup.

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

About 30 minutes.

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 could not eat oatmeal.

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

Limited. at 2 weeks I started walking alot.

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

Protein, Calcium, Multivitamin, and B-12

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?

Nausau.

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

The drain.

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

Igo to support groups meeting.

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

It is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am on a plateau right now, and need to increase my protein.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No.