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

I am a nurse, I have known about bariatric surgery for quite some time, but I knew I didn't want to have gastric bypass, just due to the severity and the problems with nutrition and absorption of nutrients. When the hospital I work for started taking lap banding patients, I started the research process and learned that I was interested.

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

My insurance was a little slow, but only because I was anxious... it only took about 5 weeks for approval. My advice is don't leave it all up to the doctors office, call the insurance company yourself, get the name of the person that is reviewing your case and call every week, tell them your story, tell them the importance of the the surgery.

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

Go into the first visit with some research done, ask questions, ask for refrences, don't be afraid to ask for success rate. Take charge of your own healthcare.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to be thin and healthy. I had no medical problems YET. I was 28 and just fat. I didn't want to become unhealthy with high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, high cholesterol... and all the other problems associated with obesity.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I would only have a procedure that didn't alter the way my body absorbed vitamins. That left the lap band!

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 didn't have any fears, I trusted my surgeon, I knew what I had to do to take care of myself.

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?

I have such a great support system through family, friends, co workers...

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

I was out of work for 2 weeks. My manager was great and still very supportive.

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

I was in the hospital about 12 hours, it was important to have comfortable clothes and slip on shoes.

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

No complications.

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 great! No problems

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

Dry skin, thirsty,

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

2 miles

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

5 small scars, not bad at all.