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

I was talking to someone at work who was going to have the Lap Band done. She inspired me. And I had been seeing the commercials on TV and knew that I needed help getting this weight off because my back was so bad. I knew I did NOT want to end up in a wheel chair and I knew I would if I didn't get this weight off.

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

It was not hard. The company was great, the doctors were on top of things, I faxed stuff in myself to make sure it got in quickly and my family doctor's nurse, Holly, was GREAT about gathering up info from my records, that would be helpful in getting approval. The insurance company approved me just 2 weeks after receiving the info they required. My advise to others who plan to use insurance is to be persistant and to do as much yourself as you can. DON'T give up.

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

She was VERY informative and very nice. I was impressed with her knowledge and her personality. I made a list of questions I wanted to ask before I got there. Making a list helps me to remember things I want to say. I knew I would be somewhat nervous and excited and knew I would forget something if I didn't write it down.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After reading up on the Lap Band and RNY procedures an weighing the benefits and risks, and reading other people's testimonials and seeing their before and after pics,. I knew I could do this and knew this was want I wanted to do.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research and more research.

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 chose the least invasive and least complicated procedure because of the risk factors involved in the other procedures. And because if fit my personality and physical requirements more completely. IF I die during or because of the choice I made, then t least I died doing something I believed in and wanted to do and I would have not had a healthy or long life without this. I have faith in my doctors, and in myself. I know I can do what it takes to make this work. I visualize myself getting through this with flying colors and I do this every night. I put positive thoughts into my head constantly because I believe I positive attracts positive and negative attracts negative and if you can think it, you can make it happen..

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?

So far my family and friends have been supportive of my decision. I will update this when I see how they act AFTERWARDS.

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

My boss thinks I am crazy and that I am not fat enough to do something so drastic but she is supporting my time off and giving me excused absences for the missed time due to testing and classes. She wants to see me healthy and happy. So she is being cool about everything. God willing, barring any unforeseen complications, I will not miss any work bue to the surgery itself. We are closed for Christmas break after December 23rd and won't restart till January 3rd. I have surgery December 26th so hopefully will be ready to return by January 3rd.

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

I stayed overnight (24 hours) The hospital was very nice. The staff was wonderful and informative and compassionate. I was VERY happy with my stay. I felt I was very well cared for! I brought a packed bag but I honestly only got in once for my tooth brush. Everything was taken care of for me.

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

Nope

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 got nervous and a couple times kinda thought, maybe I shouldn't do this. But I reminded myself of the reasons WHY I have to lose this weight and I talked myself back into it every time! I did a lot of talking with friends and people on the message boards to calm my nerves.

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

I was not prepared for all the gas! and I had a reaction the the whey protein that sent me to ER with dehydration due to diahrrea. Once I got past that, I was fine. Just a little sore!

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

about 45 miles one way I will NOT miss any appointments due to distance, except inclement weather. This is too important to me!

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.

So far everything I have eaten has gone down fine. I am following the NUT recommendations for my post op meals. No probelms.

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

I was walking 10 minutes after each meal and whenever I got bored, from day 2

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

I take 2 adult chewable centrum silvers, 2 chewable calciums, sublingul B complex drops, CoQ10 sublingual drops, 1 teaspoon flax oil 2X a day, 1 biotin cap a day and 1 B1 cap a 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?

None so far

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

The protein.... until I found one I wasn't intolerant of

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

I use OH message boards every day. And I go to the Bariatric support group meeting in town here the third Wednesday of each month. To me, it is vital! VERY important to me to be able to connect with others.

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

couple inch long incision where the port is and 5 other holes about the size of a pea! Just as I imagined

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet