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

Kept hearing about it on the TV and my doctor suggested it a few years ago because I was gaining weight on a regular basis.

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

My insurance insisted on a six month program of doctor visits, phyciatrist referrels, nutritionist visits and referrels from my primary doctor. At the end everything was done according to their requirements and it was approved in two days.

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

It was strickly a consultation, we discussed what I wanted and he told me about the surgery options.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Just so tired and my body ached all the time. Also, found the doctor and hospital that I could live with for many months to come.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did not want to be cut, so lap-band was the only choice for me.

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 wasn't afraid really.

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?

Everyone was so supportive, gave me such help.

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

Only a few people at work know about the surgery, I feel it is a very personal decision. I was out of work for fourteen days.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

My first visit was almost two years ago, it was very informative and it was good to talk to people who had the surgery or was thinking about the surgery.

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

I had my surgery late on a friday afternoon and went home late saturday. Most inmportant is to bring a good attitude.

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?

The first week was terrible, I was so sick and running to the bathroom all the time. By the end of the week I was sure there was nothing left in my system. Then with the soft food on week two I began to feel a little better. Now it is day 25 and I am doing very well on the program. I see a weight loss therapist every week and we discuss all my fears and expectations and that is a huge help. I swill be seing the nutritionist monthly to help with the food program

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

I am sure everyone is different, but my first week was terrible, I was cursing myself out for doing the surgery, I was sure I made a huge mistake.

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

My surgery was actually near where I work. Which is 60 miles from my home. But for convenience this works for me. I can get to my appointments easily.

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.

Week one: Clear liquids - Water, apple juice, chicken broth, ice pops, jello. Week two: Soft foods are added -cottage cheese, sweet potatos, white potatos anthing you can mush. Week three and forward: Dark meat chicken, ground sirloin, flakey fish, scrabbled eggs, peas, french style string beans, soft carrots, pudding.

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

From not moving to more energy every day.

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

Chewable Vitamins, Lite Muscle Milk

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 drive heaves and the diarhhea the first week. Felt great when I was sleeping so went to bed very early and took alot of naps the first week. Didn't have much energy anyway.

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

The first week!

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

Looking for one now. Hopefuly this site can lead me to a good group.

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

Laproscopic very small. Almost healed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Nothing .......only 25 days since my surgery.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some, complimentary on my weight loss, very helpful with the program.