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

The internet. I knew the Lap band was for me.

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

I was selfpay.

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

My surgeon was great. He was very caring he answered all the question I had. The important thing is to ask question and do your research.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of being overweight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My husband said no to all of them but the lapband

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 worried about the lapband.

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

I didn't tell them. 4 days

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

The hospital staff was very nice. They have a section just for this type of surgery. I had to stay overnight because when I am put to sleep I throw up. I just took clothes with me because I thought I was coming home.

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

No I didn't

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. I was ready for this surgery.

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

I couldn't really tell I had anything done. I was just a little sore. I moved as much as I could so that I wouldn't get to sore. I did everything my doctor told me to do.

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

60 miles one way. It didn't effect my aftercare at all.

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.

After the surgery for two weeks I was on anything I could sip thorugh a straw, after that for two weeks I was on mushie food, I can't eat bread at all, no type of bread. This is about the only food I can't eat.

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

I started walking about two weeks after surgery. I am now walking three miles a day on most days.

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

I take calcium and a good chewable vitamin.

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 problem I had was vomiting after I woke up and they gave me something for that in the hospital and kept me over nght.

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

The waiting to have it done.

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

I just get on the OH lapband forum. It has been very helpful most of the time.

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

They are getting lighter. Yes

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had my third adjusment in December I didn't have another one until April 9th about three weeks before that adjustment I quit losing weight. Other then that I have continued to lose.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NO