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

I went to an orientation after a girlfriend of mine told me about the lap-band, she also is trying to get insurance approval. I am 13 days post-op lap-band and doing just great.

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

It's certainly not easy. Nothing in life worth anything is I guess. I was denied the first time around but did not give up and appealed it. The 2nd time around they gave in and approved it. The most important advise I could give anyone is ask your surgeons office for a specific "criteria" checklist (most insurance companies have them) and follow that to a tee!! I mean do EXACTLY what they want you to do or you can count on a denial!

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

It was good. I got all of my questions answered. Have a list with you and explain that you may need some extra time.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

far too many failures in the past and I am sure now that I can keep my lap-band forever I will be a sucess and not another failure.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I chose the lap-band due to the least invasive and least amount of risks

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 really had none only the "anesthesia" fear and that comes with any surgery

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 all very supportive, and continue to be supportive

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

I haven't been back to work yet. I took 30 days off to insure time to adjust to new eating habits. I am a nurse and I work 12 hour night shifts, eating is difficult enough when you don't have restrictions so I wanted to be well prepared.

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

The hospital stay was just great. I was there less than 24 hours, the nursing care was good. I think some of the hospitals need to realize that they need to have "larger" size stuff if they are going to offered these procedures, that would make us big kids feel much better.

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

none what so ever!

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 am only 13 days post-op now, no anxiety at all, things are great never felt better!

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

I will let you know

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

less than 30 miles

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 cannot really answer yet, I know I was sick of "clear liquids" but it was well worth it. So far I can eat most anything

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

good. I have been walking and keeping active.

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

diet high in protein, and I take a liquid vitamin called "Vibe" ask me about 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?

I have had none

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

I think just the fear of the unknown as far as how your body will respond to things.

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

just joined the bandsters

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

five small incisions across my tummy, was hardly anything!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no