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

I was scared, not knowing if it was forever.

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

be patient! call the insurance company often! Don't wait for them to let you know.

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

ask questions! I was convinced I was ready to get it done after the meeting!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

insurance approved it!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

lap banding, as it was the least evasive

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?

still have fears about band slipping!

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 very supportive

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 for 3 weeks, my Manager was excited for me. Now that I have lost she is in AWE!

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

I was just there overnight! bring comfy clothes to go home in and bring your slippers because you will be walking around!

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

no

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 excited & couldn't wait to get the surgery behind me!

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

you won't be hungry so let you family know you can sit there but won't be eating

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

1 mile.

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.

alot of soup, mashed potates

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

I was walking fast about 3-6 miles per day prior to surgery, after surgery kept walking starting at 1 mile and working up.

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

flinstones gummy vitamins

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?

no side effects.

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

the blood thinner shots in my legs! I hate needles!

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

my family is very supportive. I try to go to the meetings at the hospital.

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

2 little scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have plateau'd a couple of times, but if I exercise more it helps

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no