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

Searching for weight loss pills on-line. A website poped up about lap band. It caught my eye right away and I knew that's what I wanted

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

Insuranse approval took 3days. Which was a shock because my insurance is through the state. My advice would be to work closley with with your surgon office they gave my a check off sheet with everything I had to do to be approved through my insurance. "Do EVERYTHING they tell you to do"

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

I was nervous but it went well. Dr. Harrington is great he got straight to the point and answerd all my questions. What I would say to get the most out of this meeting is to write down all your questions and take them with you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My mom has high blood pressure and she to is over weight. She had a mild strok and didn't know until 2days later. I knew I had to do something about myself.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the weight to come off at a steady pace so I could eat right excerise and allow my skin to catch up with my weight loss so I picked lap-band. If I had of had health problems I would had bypass.

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 was a smoker for 10 years and quit cold turkey 30days before surgery. I was scared my lungs wouldn't heal and collapise durning surgery. I would tell other people to make changes in your life before surgery to avoid any problems.

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 didn't tell anyone because I knew the would disapprove so now that's it's done they have accepted it and are very supportive

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

My boss who is over weight said some mean things but at the end of the day it's my health my body. My surgery was 5/21/09 and I'm planning to return to work 5/26/09

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 5/21/09 6am until 5/21/09 3pm. The staff was very nice and made me very comfortable. All I brought was a camra

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 was scared but I just kept looking in the mirror saying the real me is in there and her day to shine is coming

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

I was in a little pain but the pain killers help by day 3 I was fine

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

15min drive

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.

first week was clear liquid (broth,tea,protein drinks,water) I'm still in first week but all I can say to others is follow doc orders

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

I went to the gym on my secound day home and walked on tread-mill and did light weight lifting

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

Centrum liquid,cod liver oil,b-12,calcium,fish oil,bioten(hair)

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?

none so far

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

Keeping up with all pre-op appointments

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

Holy Cross Hospital were I had surgery has great support meetings

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

I use raw sha butter on them so the are healing very fast

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no