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

Referred by primary care physician. Lapband was my surgery of choice, but after been denied the reasonfor continuing with exploring other surgical methods still made sense.

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

He's an incredible man. Spoke of the surgery changing my life...and was joyfully happy about seeing how it does so. Great first meeting.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Insurance approval and surgeons explanation as to why he will not do laproscopic.

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 did have fears and concerns and did do some "just in case" things. I made sure records were current, funeral choices made known, etc. Some of those fears were no different then pre-surgery fears, there was a good chance I was going to die because of my obesity.

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?

Very supportive before and after.

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

Supportive. I informed my immediate supervisor when the pre-testing began. There was additional support as well, the paramedic for the company I work for was a bariatric patient.

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

5 day stay. Bring a fan just in case it gets hot. Most important thing to bring, a sense of humor and a good atitude. I made my mind up that I was going at this surgery (my first) in an incredibly positive way....and pulled it off. A little laughter and good nature goes a LONG way with the care staff too.

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

None, 6 days post-op. 5 weeks after surgery was re-hospitalized with a nasty case of gout in both feet (never had it before) much more painful than the surgery. Gout went away, but the medicine to make it do so caused a kidney stone... so really complications from the gout, not the surgery. Have had subsequent incisional hernias that have had to be repaired.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

After receiving confirmation that the surgery had been approved, I was very anxious. Suprisingly so. 1'st time hospitalization and only 2nd time surgery (tonsilectomy). 2n'd day after approval, it was lets get this show on the road!

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

The most difficult part was no hospital bed...I had used the bed rails to adjust my body, and suddenly, oops nothing there. Wear your binder, it really helps. Stairs no problem...Eventually stir-craziness did set in...I never not worked that long before in my life. (5 weeks off work, 1 week 1/2 time.)

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

Less than 20 minutes. Perhaps more than the aftercare, it will make it so easy for me to attend the support meetings which I view as critical.

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've been able to eat most everything...in small quantities. No problems with milk products or meat. Some problems with pouch adjustment, some days it seems you can eat more than others. It also is food choice, eat the protein first (like chicken chunks) and you're full. I'm eating more now, but being sensible about my food choices and the quanitity. I tried a < 1/4 " sliver of iced birthday cake this week...great choice if you enjoy dumping. Not sure I want to seek cake ever again.

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

Full vitamin regimen -- had to sign an agreement with the surgery before sugery that I would follow the vitamin protocol (B6, b12, etc.) -- the signed letter was sent to my house as a registered letter that I had to resign for. Haven't had to have shots suplements.

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

I'm part of my surgeon's aftercare group. They're very supportive and I find it important to attend the meetings. I feel seeing other peoples successes (and learning from them is critical.) I see it as meetings I will be going to forever. The meetings are led by trained professional (psychiatrist...actually does it as a volunteer) and the surgeon frequently attends.

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

I consider it to be my badge of honor. Its fading fast. I really didn't care that much about how it was going to look.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At the 5 month mark, I'm down 119 lbs. 1 week i lost nothing, and that was pretty freaky. How to keep the weight loss going? Exercise, exercise, exercise.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not differently, but very complimentary on how great I look. All are very encouraging. I would not say that they treat me differently though.