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

A girlfriend of mine had it done. she walked me through the whole process. and my son whom studied in medical school.

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

Fight, Fight, fight. contact your local legislative everything is politics . let the politicians know how important this is.

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

scared I admit. but i relaxed after a half hour.lol

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I could not take it anymore, the sleep apnea the diabetes its just was too much.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I looked at all surgerys i felt the roux and y was best for me.

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?

theres always going to be fears but. it was not as bad as i thought.

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?

some was worried. but they was supportive.

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

Well im looking for a job . got one?

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

It was pleasant i Love the private room.

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

no.

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

excited , i cried like a baby.

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

tired. i just wanted to rest. but i did surprisingly well.

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

not far.

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.

food solid food. i could only do shakes and water. and then purred foods. you will learn because your stomach will not tolerate such. got full quick though. which is good it also trained me to eat sensibly. you will not over stuff yourself on this venue. why defeat the purpose of having this surgery.

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

just walking 20 30 minutes twice a day then increased.

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

calcium, protein, multivitamins iron.

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?

little nausea , dumping i just take a antacid like prolosec or milk of magnisia

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

i was hungry.. yes i felt like i was starving , but it was just me healing. i had to get used to it. and i did .

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

nutritionist, doctor appointments and therapist.

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

you really cannot see them

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

constipation, and a little nausea

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no not really. yet.then again i notice some people starring they notice something she did but what is it. they are afraid to ask did you lose some weight. they just look at you funny.