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

I first heard about bariatric surgery through the media, years ago. I always wished that it could be an option for me.

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

My insurance approval went smoothly. My advice is to be patient. There are requirements and red tape to go through, and it all takes time. READ your policy. KNOW the requirements, and set aside that time to get it all done. See your health professional on a regular basis so there is documentation and history on your weight and health.

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

My visit with the surgeon was actually quite breif. By the time I'd seem him, I was very well informed of the surgery, the risks, the lifestyle changes, etc. He was interested in me, if I had questions, and made sure I was very clear on everything involved.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My inability to lose weight and keep it off.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on the Lap Band because of it's inevasiveness and risk factors vs. RNY. My health history and risk factors played the biggest part in this decision.

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 have a long history of DVT's. (Blood Clots) My biggest fear was developing a clot, or even dying from a clot. However, the Lap Band surgery is no higher a risk for that than ANY surgery. I felt the risk was worth the benefit.

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 was very supportive and still is. My relationship with my BF withered away, but not due to the weight loss, however I think he feels that way. The happiest thing for me is that my mother was able to witness my weight loss success to date before she passed away. I know it made her happy as she worried so about my obesity.

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

My boss was somewhat skeptical of WLS, as she knows of patients that have weight regain. With that being said, she did not discourage me at all. I took two weeks off work for recovery, and although I could have gone back earlier, I was thankful for the time to simply rest and recooperate.

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

I stayed in the hospital overnight because of the distance from home. This was a decision made between my surgeon and myself, and I was very happy with that.

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

No complications.

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. There is always some concern over possible complications, but I followed all instructions I was given by my surgeon and left the rest in God's hands.

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

I was pretty sore the first several days...more so than I expected. The port site was very tender and made lying down and getting up uncomfortable. I found it easier to sleep in the recliner for the first few days. It was several months before I was comfortable sleeping on my stomach again because of the port location.

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

My surgeon is 190 miles from my home. I've had no complications so I've not needed alot of after care. I have only needed two fills in my first year post op. It is quite a ways to travel for an office visit, and can be inconvenient and rather expensive....however...I would not change my doctor or their staff simply to go local. It has been worth every trip.

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.

My food tolerances are still a learning curve for me, even a yr post op. I do not tolerate bread well, and pasta and rice and pose problems also.

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

Normal.

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

I take a daily over the counter multi-vitamin.

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 some minimal hair loss, but nothing too distressing.

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

The worst part of the process is getting through the pre-surgery red tape and insurance requirements.

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

OH is my major source of support.

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

The scar where my port is placed is the most prominant and raised and reddened, but seems to be getting better as time goes on. The other incision sites are barely noticeable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My weight loss has come off in chunks. I will stay on a plateau for 3-8 weeks and then suddenly lose 5-10 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I don't notice people treating me differently. I get alot of compliments on how nice I look now, however.