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

I heard about the lapband procedure on the radio. It was a contest. I entered. I was not chosen but I was then set on my year and a half long journey. I was intinially scared, but I knew it was the right thing to do!

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 took 2 months. Be persistant.

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

Everyone was great at Dr. Allen's office. It was a great atmosphere to be in.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I looked in the mirror and saw what everyone else must have been seeing. I was mortified, when I sat on my bed after getting out of the shower ands saw so many fat rolls.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The Gastric Bypass was never an option for me! I am only 24 and the thought of having my insides rearranged and butchered, never appealed to me! I knew the lap band was fo me, the day I read my first infrmative article!

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 never had a fear of dying from the lapband. I knew I would die with the RNY. I would say, keep a strong faith, pray, and trust your gut!

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?

They were never very supportive. Now theyall want it! Picture that!

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

My supervisor was very understanding. HE kept it between me and him and has been very supporttive. He even eats soup on the days I am at work. He thinks it make sme feel better, and it really does!

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

My hospital stay was ok. It is really hard to be there bored with no food. I threw up several times, becasue of the anesthisia. Other than that, it went very smooth.

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

I had absolutely no complications. I was sick from anesthesia, that was my only negative side effect!

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 very nervous. I was torn between shouting it from the roof tops, and keeping it to myself. I coped by reading all I could about it and staying in contact with people on the Obesityhelp.com lapband message board. There is no lapband support group in my area, so they are the next best thing!

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

My first week has been ok. I am very sore and my shoulder(left) hurts even more tan the incisons. I am not sure why. I thinki t is gas pains. I have been very irritable, and have had frequent mood swings. Every Dr. is different but I Am on a 2 week liquid diet and I really think that having no food is the culprit!

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

I travel 3.5 hrs both ways. I don't think it will effect my aftercare, as long as I am responsible and make my appointments in advance.

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 was on a restrictive diet fro 3 weeks after surgery, each surgeon has their own plan thatthey follow so it doesn't make any sense to go over that. However after surgery I have been unable to tolerate thick breads, although crackers of any kind are okay and toasted bread is okay. I can also eat tortillas but only the corn tortillas, the flour tortillas get stuck. I can no longer tolerate scrambled eggs. I can only eat fried eggs. I have also noticed my craving s for fast food has dimenished. I can no longer tolerate or crave a cheeseburger. IF I eat out is always at nice resturants, where I can go in sit down and make good food choices.

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

The first 2 weeks after surgery Iwas very sore and tried not to over do my activity, but once I got over the initial shock of the surgery. I was able to start my activities again. I am 2.5 months out now and have started an arobics class.

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

I take One a Day Weight Smart. I love it!

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?

Nausia, Vomiting, mood swings and lack of patience were my biggest side effects. The vomiting and nausea only lasted 1 day. The rest of it is still lingering and I believe it will until I get offo of this liquid diet! I am no longer on a liquid diet and I have had no complications other than the occassional PB from not chewing well enough.

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

Recovery! plan and simple. The first night in the hospital is the absolute worste.

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

I am still a member of obesityhelp.com I donot have a support group in my area so the friends I have made on the OH lapband forum have truly been my saving grace! 2/9/05 I have joined an all womens fitness center in my area. We ahve support meetings,my teacher is a personal trainer. We set weekly goals and weigh in once a week or once every two weeks. It has become a great system of support for me. There are women from all walks of life there and at least one other lady who had wls. It has definately helped me get a new outlook on this whole life changing experience.

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

My scars at 1 week post opt are almost completely flat! I thought they would be a lot bigger and uglier. They are almost unnoticable already! 2/09/05 My scars are starting to keloid. I hate the way they look now butthey are small, so I need to keep counting my blessings.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

As of Feb 09.2005 I have not hit a plateau. I am only 2.5 months out. I will check back in a few months on this question.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I can't even talk about food without people acting crazy about it! Yesterday, I fixed my fiance a cheeseburger, but instead of just a normal cheeseburger I added salsa and worshire sauce, before cooking it. I t looked awsome, so I said " How does it taste?" he replies "baby why are you torturing yourself, you can't eat it. Why do you want me to describe the flavors." I was like what are you talking about? I just wanted to know if you liked it! It was so crazy on a normal day he would have just said it was good and that would have been the end of it!