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

My dad was looking into having the "band" surgery done. I thought at first yea right that isn't going to work. I am now eating those words. Also, I thought there was no way I could afford to have any type of surgery done. I didn't understand why insurance companies wouldn't pay for them. Again, I was wrong. My insurance not only paid for 80% of my surgery but they are also paying for my fills. :o)

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

I had no problems with my insurance company. Maybe it was because I called them every day asking why they don't cover these types of surgery. :o)

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

ask questions is how you can get more out of the meetings. write your questions down and ask away. That is the only thing I think I would do different about my first visit with my doctor. I would have written all my questions down and just asked him at that time.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

For my health. I am 35 and I have a long life ahead of me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did a lot of praying. :o)

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 think because of all the praying I (and many other) done that I was at peace with everything. I didn't have an fears of complications nor of dying. My biggest fear was I wasn't going to lose weight after spending all this money.

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?

Before surgery one person was not supportive of my decision. That was hard because this person and I had been friend for 30 years. I went ahead and planned my surgery and the weekend before I had my surgery I sat down with her and had a heart to heart talk about why I was doing this, that is was for my health. After that she was very supportive and was there for me all the way. After surgery things are great. It does get discourging when people (who know you have had the surgery) ask you have you lost anything I can't tell. Well, don't listen to them.

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

they were very supportive. They knew I need to do this for me and they were behind me 100%. The surgery I had was the lap band and that is usually done as a day surgery. My doctor keeps his people overnight and I like that idea. I was out of work for 3 weeks including the week of surgery. Reason was because I need a break not because of the surgery. :o)

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

My stay was great. I was there overnight and the only thing I took was my cpap. The only problem I had was that the person who was supposed to know how to hook it up didn't. I had to hook it up myself which wasn't a problem. :o)

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

no I had 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 felt like I was on top of the world. I wanted to tell everyone and I knew then I was going to have my life back. :o)

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

I was fine the first weeks after my surgery. If you are having the lap band surgery the only prolbem is the gas pains, but those to shall pass. :o)

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

I was 15 min from the hospital

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.

for the first two weeks I was on liquids. After that it was soft solid foods. For the most part now I can eat most anything as long as I chew, chew, chew, chew. :o)

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

I had my surgery on Wednesday the following Monday I was back doing my normal routine just a little be slower. I was back to working out and I was just taking it easy on certain things.

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

I take a B complete and a multi vitamin.

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 only had one problem with vomiting and that was because I didn't chew my food up enough. When that happened it hurt and my lesson was learned.

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

I think the worst part was the waiting pre op waiting. I am talking about the waiting for insurance to give them their answer.

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

there is a great support group that meets twice a month for dinners. Also the have other get togethers. They are great and quick in answering any questions. :o)

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

I have four little scars, I didn't expect to have maybe smaller ones but they are not that bad.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes I see people are treating me the way that use to like I am a person.