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

I have been researching the different surgery for about 3 years, I went to a seminar promoting the LapBand & Gastric Bypass.

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

I haven't received approval yet...I'm still searching for a surgery and getting approval from my PCP.

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

Haven't schedule appt yet.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I would say gaining more weight, I am know @ 250 which is my highest weight ever.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I actually research several different options and in my opinion the LapBand had less complication after surgery. Which was ideal for me.

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 understand with every surgery you run a risk, but for me being overweight was a risk as well, so I felt I was risking my life daily.

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?

Several family member come around the more then learned, but the 1st reaction was "ARE YOU CRAZY" or "YOUR FINE THE WAY YOU ARE".

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

My Employer was very supportive, no problems getting time off.

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 for about 2-3 days, everyone was friendly and my doctor came to see me each and every day.

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

no complications 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 was having mixed feeling about the surgery (cold feet I would say)

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

I was very tired & sleey all the time, not much pain just tired. just take it easy and takes little walks

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

NO far at all...it's like 15 minutes on the freeway from my house.

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.

Oboy that is a hard one ...the 1st week I couldn't eat hard boiled eggs (haven't really tried them since then) but that is about it OOO and Atkins ice cream (makes me dump, go figure I can have a little of the regular stuff but not Atkins)

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

just mainly walked around the house.

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

Well here is a list of what I take now (this is just vitamins I love protein shakes so I have 1-2 everyday since surgery) AM: 1 GNC Multi-Gel w/B-Complex NO Iron 2 Calcium Citrate w/ Vitamin b-3 Capsules 1 Bioton Capsule 1 Lutein 1 GNC Fish Body oils w/GLA Afternoon: 1 GNC Multi-Gel w/B-Complex NO Iron 2 Calcium Citrate w/Vitamin B-3 Capsules 1 B-12 Sub 1 GNC Fish Body oils w/GLA Bedtime: 1 iron capsule 1 vitamin C chewable

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 had nausea from the start and couldn't sleep at night either (this lastest for about 1 month) . Hair loss: oboy I started having hair loss around 3 months out and it lastest like 2 months. Dumping: not really I would say I can still count them on my hand.

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

I don't have anything to say

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

Well my surgeon has since moved, I do have a follow up surgeon now that has a support group that meets, but I've only attended maybe twice. Most of the support I get would be here @ ObesityHelp.com or Bariatriceating.com.

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

Well I kind of expected a scar since I scar easy. So no biggy here

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

wooo yes I had alot of plateau...I've been stuck at the same weight for almost 1 1/2 years...won't move I guess my body just likes this number

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

OO yes they do...before it was like I didn't exist to some people and now I even get doors opened or stuff carried to the car for me.