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

Funny stuff -- my ex-husband was concerned and came across the band. I was sold from our first conversation.

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

I didn't even try for approval, for some reason in Oregon none of the companies pay unless you are dying.

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

The visit was a whirl wind - I got in on a last minute cancelation. So all the pre-op was done in one day.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

As soon as I heard about it, I was sold. Then came the job of finding a good surgeon.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on lap band because it is totally reversable. The thought of changing my stomach perm was not acceptable.

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?

My fears are all for my mother, she is have the band surgery a few days after me.

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 very supportive, I have yet to heard anything nagative.

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

I work for my families publishing business. My boss is my mother and as soon as I told her she was right on the net trying to figure out if she wanted to do it to. Since we are both doing it everyone have been great.

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

I had a day surgery. Bring gas x, heating pad, water, and loose clothing.

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

no complications, as of yet

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 buried my head in the sand up until the last few days. Then the anxiety hit me.

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

At least during the first week, just working through the soreness.

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

I traveled 5 hrs, I will also travel to the same place for aftercare.

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.

Right now I am in the liquids only phase, for the first four weeks after surgery.

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

same as usual - I have 2 FT jobs, one at a desk and the on my feet the entire time.

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

calium, b12, b complex, vitiam E, flax oil, aspirin, biatric multi-vitiam. fiber X

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 side effect I have had is sleep disturbace

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

the soreness of the port area

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

my support group right now is my mother -- we are currently hosting a support group in our area

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

from looking at the incisions right now, the scars will be small if any

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

to early to tell

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

the people who know about the band are tending to treat me more like I am fragile