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

A friend had lap-band surgery 3 years ago and had a wonderful experience with it.

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

Have no insurance coverage for this type of surgery. Paid for it my self, well my daughter paid for it for me.

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

Very informative. Have questions written down and reay to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Tired of the yo-yo ing.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Knew someone who had the gastric by-pass and she had LOTS of problems - finally gained her weight back. Another friend had the lap band surgery. She lost 90 pounds in the 1st 18 months, had kept it off for another 18 months.

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!

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?

Everyone was very supportive before and after surgery.

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

I'm retired.

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

The stay was great. I was there about 4 hours. I could have stayed overnight, but wanted to go back to my hotel room with my friend. I didn't take anything with me.

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 elated, hopeful and confident. I had no anxiety.

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

I've only been home for 7 days. Everything is fine.

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

From NC to Mexico. I haven't had any after care yet.

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.

I was on clear liquids for the first 4 days. Then I began thicker liquids ie: drinkable yogurt, protein shakes, strained baby food.

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

The same as before surgery. Not too active. Do the eliptical machine once a day, but not for long enough. I have a hip that needs to be replaced. Hoping this weight loss will help me walk farther, and maybe be able to postpone the new hip.

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

Just a chewable Centrum vitamin. I let it dissolve in my mouth.

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?

Have had no side effects. I was a little tired the first 3 days. I just took an afternoon nap.

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

Having to travel so far.

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

None yet, except for message boards.

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

I have 4 tiny incisions that I expect will hardly be visible. The incision over my port is about 1 1/2 " long and will probably be more visible.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No