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

Commercial on TV. Some of the surgeries seemed very radical. Lap-band seemed safer.

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

I had to get letters from doctors, nutritionist, documentation of diets and diet centers I had tried. Keep trying - it's worth the effort!! No one will take care of you except you!

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

I was nervous - nothing like having one more person tell you that you are morbidly obese. Make a list of all of your questions and take it with you so you don't forget to ask what is important to you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Afraid of not being there to watch my grandchildren grow up.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Since I was in my 50's I decided that I'd like the lap-band since all my pieces parts would remain in their proper place. It is also removeable in case someday for health reasons it would need to be removed. Also, my daughter-in-law had a more invasive procedure, and still has some trouble absorbing nutrients and medication.

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?

Was not fearful of complications or dying from the surgery.

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?

Family and friends extremely supportative of my decision and helpful after surgery!

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

I had worked as a special education teacher for the same program for over 30 years. Supervisors very supportive! Only off work 3 weeks.

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

Very supportative staff! Only there 23 hours. Bring your robe and slippers. I did a lot of walking around the hospital floor.

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?

My only concern was the liquid diet and being able to lift young adults (special needs teacher assisting with activities of daily living). The doctor really didn't understand the nature of my job and said I could go back to work in 2 weeks. Once I showed him my job description, I was off work 3 weeks which got me past the liquid diet.

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

Hopefully, a lot of support from family and friends. I had a tremendous support group of long-time friends at work, and great support from my family.

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

10 miles from home to hospital. The only effect it had was during the winter months. Weather sometimes made it necessary to reschedule appts. or to skip support group evening meetings.

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.

Sometimes I have trouble with eating soft breads, especially white bread. If I have trouble eating something, I just don't eat it. I have been able to eat most foods without difficulty. Just need to make sure I chew it thoroughly as instructed.

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

Due to surgery, I started slowly by just walking more. When I returned to work, I also returned to my exercise routine - again starting slowly and working up to my regular routine of stretches, cardio and weights.

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

I take a daily multi-vitamin for those over 50. I also take 2 TUMS 3x a day for the extra calcium.

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?

No side effects, unless I didn't chew my food thoroughly enough. Food would get stuck in my throat, cause minor discomfort. Still occurs 5 years later. When this happens, I stop eating until the feeling disappears. I know then to chew more thoroughly. If it happens a second time, I just stop eating that meal.

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

Jumping through all of the insurance hoops!!

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

Had a once-a-month support group and appts. with my doctor. Really great help when starting out on this quest.

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

Laproscopic incisions - only 5, very small. Have almost disappeared.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Got off track due to family issues which lead me back to stress eating. I had done extremely well until then. Now I am determined to get back on track. Am working with a more local bariatric surgeon and support group.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really differently, just noticing the weight loss and asking how I did it. I tell the truth since I was unable to go it alone.