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

seems like I've always known about it. i was scared, very very scared to have the surgery done.

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

I was not approved by insurance because, despite being 150 pounds overweight, I didn't have enough weight-related health problems for insurance to think it was a necessary procedure. I got financing, and paid for it myself. My health and longevity is priceless.

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

very informative. write questions down and take them with you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

seemed like i had tried everything else. surgery was the only option left to me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i had lap-band done becasue it was all i could afford, if i had my choice i would've had gastric bypass

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 was more scared of the surgery than i have ever been of anything in my life. in the end it was just irrational fear, the odds of complications during surgery for lap-band are very low.

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?

my family and friends were very supportive before i had the surgery, they are MUCH less supportive now, with the exception of my husband.

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

i do not work, so this was not an issue. however, i was up & about in less than a week.

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

lap-band is an outpatient surgery done in a surgery center here. i was in & out within four hours. it went very smoothly.

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

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 became more & more nervous the closer it got to surgery. i had massages once a week and one the day before surgery to help me relax.

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

sleep. that's pretty much all i did the first few days. then when you're feeling better, it's kind of hard because you're hungry and can't eat anything.

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

i traveled about 60 miles for surgery. the ride home was extremely uncomfortable. had i thought of it at the time, i would've stayed in a hotel that night, but wanted to go home to my own bed.

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 5 days after surgery, then went on to full liquids (which is anything with a paint-like consistency) for another five days, then went ot soft foods like eggs, cheese and beans for another five days, then to solid foods. except i couldn't have bread, chicken or pork for 2 months post-op.

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

activity level was near zero for the first few weeks, then started swimming and walking again

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

i take chewable vitamins every day, but that's it

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?

the only side effect i've really had is trouble sleeping, i think because i feel still feel hingry. i'm hoping this will stop once the band is adjusted right.

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

the owrst part is being hungry and not being able to eat. since hunger control is not achieved until the band is adjusted correctly - and that can take months. it is VERY hard to stick to such small portions when you feel the same as you did before surgery.

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

there are no aftercare or support programs in my area. i wish there were. i think it would be very helpful to have others to talk to about how i am feeling.

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

i have five scars from the incicion points. one is very large. they are not at all what i expected. i expected them to be much smaller.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i have periodic plateaus, usually for the week before my time of the month. other than that, none.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes. i am getting QUITE A BIT of hostility from my overweight friends. my husband is somewhat uncomfortable eating in front of me also, he says he feels bad that i can't eat as much as i want to.