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

I was scared of bypass but lap band was perfect.

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

Patience.Takes a lot of work but worth it.

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

Excited.Iwas more than ready.Write things down you want to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

There was no question.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The lap band seemed safer and my husband was against me having by-pass.

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 had some but it is very minimal, and the weight I was at was more dangerous.

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?

They were all supportive.

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

I was out longer than normal because I had another surgery with it.My supervisor is thinking about having the surgery.

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

My stay was fine.I was there only overnight.Bring something to read.

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

none

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 couldnt wait!

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

Just a little sore.Not bad.

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

17 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.

Right after surgery for two weeks it was just liquids and soft stuff.After two weeks I went to chile soups,scrambled eggs,oatmeal.Slowly introduced meats.I can tolerate anything now as long as little bites and chew,chew,chew!Chicken can only be tolerated if very moist or in sauce.Breads are also usually off limits.Sometimes if toasted well I can have a little bread.

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

Slowly increased.

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

I take a multi-vitamin and fish oil

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 had none of that.Occasional heartburn.

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

Waiting for a fill in the begining.

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

I go to obesity help.com and a support group at the doctors.Very important

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

Small scar. exactly what I thought

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Sometimes it seems like I go awhile without losing but considering the amount Ive lost it is to be expected even though I complain about it!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Sometimes