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

I looked it up on the internet. I was so excited that i might have found a solution to my problem.

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

I paid for this myself.

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

Be honest, don't lie, they will not be shocked, they have heard it all!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My husbands support and finially putting myself first in my own eyes!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After talking to the Dr, it was obvious that Lap Banding was the best proceedure 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?

None, honestly, I was sure I was doing the right thing.

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?

Only my husband knew, my choice, I didn't want anyone else's opinion and this important decision.

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

I am a agency personal so I can pick and chose my hours.

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

Just straight forward really, I brought my ipod,mags and mobile phone. Then the usual things but I also took some loose fitting clothes for the day after so that they didn't rub on my op. sites.

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

No problems

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 great and couldn't wait to start my new life!

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

1st week I felt like a patient, I couldn't sleep on my side, I had gas pain, I felt that eating only clear liquids was just not right or normal!! After that week everything slowly got better and back to normal.

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

Just follow ups with my Dr and Dietitian, no support group here just in contact with one lady who has also been banded.

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

3 weeks port op it is a little red but fully healed on the outside.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Still losing slowly but surely.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Have lost 20 lbs so some positive comments.