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

The first time i had heard about gastric bypass, i was 17. I was interested, but saw that the girl that told me about it, wasn't having very good success. Again, about 10 yrs ago, i talked to my dr about it. He didn't seem to gun-hoe about it and my insurance wouldn't cover it. In 07 i started looking at it again, as i had been hearing more about it on TV. So, i started doing research. I really like what i read and heard about Lap Band and decided that would be the one for me.

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

This year, i went to my dr. and talked to him about WLS. He said that at 305lbs, i was a good candidate for it, so we started the process with the insurance. he did all the labs, and sent me to the Nutritionist. The insurance turned me down flat, saying i was too healthy. I had to have at least 2 co-morbidities like, high blood pressure, joint replacement, heart desease, high cholesterol etc. I was borderline with the blood pressure and cholesterol. I wasn't going to wait until i was full blown with any of these things. I needed my life back now. It was at that point that i started researching WLS out of the country. And found that i could have it done in Mexico for $8000.00. The surgeon was very good and had an excellent reputation. I then talked to some ppl that had gone there themselves and had rave reviews. So i came up with the money to self pay and went for it. Best decision i ever made.

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

I met my surgeon a few hours before surgery, he explained what would happen and did i have any questions. He was very kind and considerate of how i felt and what i was going thru. I would say, that a person should have a list written down of anything they wanted to ask the surgeon, as it's easy to forget when your are talking to him. I went thru "beliteweight.com" as my mediator for my surgery in Mexico. They took care of all my pre-surgery questionairs and getting my medical stuff from my dr. And were wonderfull about answering all my questions ahead of time so that i was fully prepared when i got to the hospital. They even had a person there at the hospital that checked on me very often while i was there and that i could call with questions. I couldn't have asked for more.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was done with being obese. I wanted to live my life to the fullest and be around for my children. I was tired of sitting on the sidelines watching life pass me by.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't want to permantly alter my stomach by having part of removed. I had heard lots of good things about the lapband and it felt like the right surgery for me. I needed to be able to changed my eating habit to healthy ones, and still be able to eat regular food. I didn't like the malabsorbtions issues that bypass causes, and i liked the idea of control that lapband offers.

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 had more fear of dying at an early age than i did about having surgery. I now feel like i'm alive again and don't worry about having a heart attack.

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?

All of my family and my husbands family are so very supportive of this decision. My parents and husband are very proud of me for having made this choice. I'm not ashamed that i had to have WLS to lose weight. There are some ppl in the world that just can't lose weight, no matter what they do. I am one of those ppl. I needed a tool to help me.

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

I'm not employeed.

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

My stay at the hospital Angeles in Tj. Mexico was the best hospital stay i have ever had. I have been in many hospitals in the last 10 yrs for one thing or another. And have never seen a cleaner or nicer facility. I was there for 2 days and nights. The staff was wonderful and respectful of me. The room(private) was beautiful, more like a hotel room except for the medical equipment. The bathroom was all marble, with a huge 4'x4' glass enclosed shower. Very luxurous. The staff didn't wake me up to take my vitals every cpl of hours or bug me unneccesarily. But came to check on me immediatly if i called them.

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

none

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 only had two wks to wait for my surgery after i got the date. I immediatly went on an Atkins syle high protein diet. I was excited and had no worries. I was ready for my life to begin again.

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

When i returned home from my surgery, i felt really good. And was able to return to doing most of what i did before surgery. I couldn't lift my child for a while, but that wasn't a problem. I was a member of OH and read and posted on the boards daily so had lots of support. I was sore for about a wk, but didn't need any narcotics after the first few days and those were mild ones. The liquid diet post-op was a short one. By the time i was wanting something more to eat, it was time to move on the full liquids. Same thing as i went on to mushies and finally solid foods. My surgery and recovery were both perfect with no issues what so ever.

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

I traveled from North Central Washington to Tj. Mexico. I had an 11 hr trip home 2 days after surgery. I had 2 layovers and plane changes. I was able to do almost all of my walking thru the airports by myself. In advance, i had notified the airlines that i was having surgery and would they please have someone meet me to take me to my next gate in Seattle. Otherwise i did lots of walking. Subsequently, i didn't have bad gas pains in the wk's after surgery. It was VERY MILD and i healed quickly. I didn't have any aftercare with my dr in Mexico. My pcp new of the surgery, and i went in to see my after 4 wks. My blood pressure was actually low, which is normal for me when i'm really healthy. He was pleased with my progress and deemed me perfectly fine from the surgery. I haven't had need for any other followup.

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'm only 8 wks post-op so far, but haven't had any issues w/ food tolerance. I do stick to the lapband diet faithfully. I don't eat any white startch ie... rice, bread, pasta, and occasional 1/2 of small baked white potato. I eat high protein foods, some steamed or roasted veggies, some fruit. wk 1 i was on clear liquids, broth, water, sf popsicles, for 4 days. Then i was on full liquids for 10 days. Protein shakes, cream soups (strained) Then mushies for a wk. Anything pureed the consistancy to go thru a straw. More protein shakes and smoothies, refried beans w/ chs and sour cream. Chicken salad and tuna salad put thru the food processor, even steak. Sweet potatos baked well, cottage chs, peanut butter, Dannon lite & fit yogurt, SF popsicles, Crystal lite drinks, milk, and lots of water. I haven't had a fill yet, so i'm able to eat about 1 1/2 -2 cups of food at my dinner meal. I can't eat until about 11 am and i don't eat much for breakfast and lunch, as i get satisfied easily. For breakfast i typically eat and omelette w/ chs and turkey , a scrambled egg w/ cream chs., oatmeal, or Special K cereal.

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

It took me about a mth to really get my energy back in order to start walking enough to call it exercise. But in the last 4 wks, i have increased my excercise to 4-5 days a wk. with walking, 30 workout program at home, and stationary bike. I vary what i do. I do walk at least 3 days a wk. I'm able to do more exercise each wk.

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

I take a Flintstones chewable vitamin daily. 1-4 per day.

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?

I haven't had any side effects, other than a little bit more hair than usual falling out. Not that i miss it. I have more than my share. And it is decreasing.

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

The bloating that lasted about 10 days. Wasn't painful, but uncomfortable. And the wk i had of constipation.

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

I am a member of Obesityhelp.com. It has been the best support system. All the members are so helpful and caring. Everyone wants to see everyone else succeed. And are very open with the information. My family is also a very good support to me. They all want to see me do well. My husband has been the best. He just wants me to live a long life and be able to participate in family activites. He loves me no matter what my size is. But knows that being a healthy weight is whats good for me.

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

I have many scars on my stomach area, from many surgeries. They don't bother me. But i'm most proud of my WLS scars. They are paying for themselves everyday.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau about 4 wks post-op. I was stuck at 22lbs. I upped my excercise at that point and my calories to around 1100 per day, and did the plateau buster diet for 10 days. To date i have lost 35 lbs, and gained back 4.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My husband does. He makes an effort to take me places that we as a family can get in some fun walking and hiking. And has mentioned my increases stamina. Family and friends also say they can tell a difference in my appearance.