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

My husband and I wear talking one day about the lap band. We seen a commerical on tv and I did some research on the computer. Then I talked to my doctor about it. That is when I went to a seminar and I knew this 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 told my husband it would be my luck I wouldn't get approved. That phone call came in and my insurance called and they covered every thing because I was morbit over bese and with having my doctor writing a letter and my therapist and I was so much over my regular weight. I would suggest if you are over weight go to your doctor and have he or her to refer you to a surgeon. Don't wait and be miserable like I did

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

My first visit with my surgeon was ok. I wasn't nervous because I had seen him at the seminar and I was familar with everything he had talk about. So I was comfortable and he answered all my questions and he also explained detail to detail on what was going to happen with the surgery before and after. I would say if there is a seminar go to it and get to know the surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My insurance covered it all.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the lap band because there was less complications then the gastric. I didn't want to have my stomach cut on

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?

The only fear I had was being put under

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?

My family and friends supported me . They all knew I was unhappy being overweight. All my family keep in touch with me wanting to know how much weight have I lost and how I am doing. Everyone is happy and proud of me

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

I don't work

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

I stayed overnight. They wanted me to bring all my medications. I had to bring my insurance card and driver license. I took as comfort a blanket and a teddy bear my son got me before going in the army.

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

No every thing went ok

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

Oh when I found out I was having surgery I was over whelmed. As the date was getting closer I was getting scared. I had my family to help me to relax and they kept telling me everything is going to be ok. This is something that you have been wanting

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

I was glad it was over. I was anxious. I was sore and I wouldn't just sit. I kept up and walking. Expept to be swollen and sore. You will have pain medications

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

I traveled about ten miles. It was close for me.

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.

The first two weeks was clear liquids, such as broth or jello, sugar free juices, high protein slimfast drinks. Second two weeks was soft foods. Mashed potatoes, everything I ate had to be blended. I would blend fish,potatoes maccroni and cheese, chicken soups etc. Then finally solid foods. I would have to eat little little bites. I tolorated everything okay. I didn't have any problems with keeping the food down

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

I couldn't left no more then ten pounds. I was to take it easy. No lefting.

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

I am taking prenantal vitamin's. My doctor said it has every thing in it that I need

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 a hard time sleeping. I slept in a recliner .I couldn't sleep laying down. When I would move it would hurt. That was the only thing I had.

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

When I went home I was on a pain pump and my long incision was numb. Well The pain pump ran empty and a couple days later the numbness wore off and I felt pain and it brought tears to my eyes. It really hurt. I called in for more pain medicatin

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

Once a month on the second tuesday the Bariatric has a support group .This will be helpful with helping on the foods I can eat or not eat. Also to make sure I get the right amount of protein . There are alot of things I need to get answers for and this support group will help.

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

I have four small scars and were they put the port the scar is close to a inch and a half long it was what Dr. Geller said

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I have had more looks from people. People I know who haven't seen me for a while are like have you lost weight. It is like I get attention now