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

Search the internet, study Lab band for over a year

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

I had 3 appeals, don't give up. It's a scary feeling, waiting for an approval for something so important. Don't give up....

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

Dr. Goyal was very resourceful and the seminars explains every detail.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was the best thing in my opinion for me...and I can live with it

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I study the Lap band system for over a year. But at the last minute, I switched to the Realize Band.. I felt that it had more information for Post Op as well as Pre Op

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?

None, My doctor had no problems with his previous patients and I prayed and left it in Gods hand.

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 mom was scared to death and of course anyone that had anything negative to say to me. I told them that I studied my procedure and had test done for a over a year. I also suggest that they look into the website for information before they judge.

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

I told no one about my decission, it's my busniess not theirs

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

The hospital stay was fine and I was a patient for one day. Bring nothing, relax a little.

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

Gas, Gas, Gas other than that it was fine It took the Gas X three days to kick in, afer that, I was fine

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 felt fine and coped well with myself

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

Not able to move smoothly or stay on your feet for long periods of time. At little sore when laughter takes place.

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

25 min.

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 have been able to tolerate every thing that I use to eat, except soda. Soda gives me gas and cause a burning sensation in my chest..

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

I still didn't have energy and kept putting off the excersize until recently.

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

I take Centrum Silver when ever I remeber to take my vitamins... I remember the flinstones when I give them to my kids, it's much easier.

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?

The only problem that I had was gas for about 3 days after surgery. The Gas X didn't kick right away. But now all is well

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

Having the IV started, my veins are bad and even the specialist had problems starting my IV.... I hated it and I have an alergy to needles (smile)

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

I just signed onto the Obesity.com very helpful so far and I have the Realize website and well as my family

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

I don't like it, I have 6 scars and out of the 6 only 2 of them are ugly... but it's a small price for success, maybe it will fade away... What can I use to help get rid of the scar

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I don't feel restricted when it comes to eating..

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get a lot of complements now and I like it, my weight loss is slow but steady I don't want to drop my weight quick and easy I want to lose it as naturally as possible slow and steady