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

I heard about the lap-band on TV

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

I did not have insurance coverage, I paid cash

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

very smooth, staff and surgeon were all very nice, empathetic and helpful. The entire staff has had some type of weight loss surgery or journey

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am 54 years old and I am tired of doing it alone. I felt I needed the tool and we are at a position in our lives where we could afford to do it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have several friends who have had gastric bypass. They have had a lot of problems and most have regained at least a portion of the loss. I felt there was longer lasting effects of the lap-band and a better support system for aftercare.

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 have had several types of surgery - 8 all together. I have every faith in the surgeons as well as anestheologists I choose and faith in God that things will turn out well. Yes, there are risks, but there are more and greater risks of being obese.

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. Especially my kids and husband. They know that I have been unhappy about my weight for a long time. They are with me all the "weigh"

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 no problem. But if I did, I could have easily returned to work in 3-4- days - for sure no more than a week after surgery

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

I had my lap-band as an out-patient. Went in at 7:30, on the way home by 11:00. Don't bring anything except someone to drive you home!

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

no complications

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 just ready to get it done and on my way

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

a little discomfort, not pain. I had a hard time with just liquids, but I managed for the recommended time. I was kind of afraid to start eating, but I followed the instructions and did fine. I did notice thought a few weeks after surgery that I "grieved" for a big meal. I wanted that big steak with the loaded baked potatoe, or the mexican platter, but I got over it. I would even fill my plate like before surgery and then say to myself, "what are you doing?" You can't eat all that. For most of use food was a great part of our lives.

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

about 100 miles, because I live in a rural area, but I go to the valley almost once a week anyway. I have attended only 1 support group because they are in the evenings, but the office staff, ioncluding Dr. Simpson, is always available to answer any questions I have

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.

because the lap band is adjustable, I did have a little trouble swallowing a lot of things after my second fill. I couldn't eat really anything except soft stuff and salad for some reason. I e-mailed Dr. Simpson and told him my feelings, and he e-mailed right back to tell me that I needed to have some fluid taken out of the band. The band is a trial and error method to get the right fill, so I will be seeing him this week to have some fluid removed and then I should be able to eat anything I want, just in small but filling, portions

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

It was good because I was psyched to get moving

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

chewable multivitamin and chewable calcium

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?

like I mentioned above, after my second fill I had trouble with a lot of solid foods, often vomiting a little, but I have been very careful since I spoke with the doctor and will be having an adjustment this week. Other than that, no problems

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

just the 2 days afterward, it felt like someone had cinched my belly and they had. Also the gas they use to allow access to the abdomen was uncomfortable, but after about 2 days, I was feeling fine

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

Support groups are held twice a month at Dr. Simpson's office. Web sites are also available for chatting and messages. Dr. Simpson also has pod-casts on his website that are helpful. This is all important because I feel I can get support/help/answers quickly and I know that many many patients share this experience with me

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

its about what was described to me before surgery - 3 very small 1/2 inch scars and one about 2 inches. No big deal. I don't show my midrift to many people!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

after the initial weight loss of 16 pounds, it took a while to get moving again. I guesses it was water loss and once I began eating soliod foods, I actually gained a few pounds back, but after a short while, I starting losing again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

my friends just notice that my pants are baggy and my husband keeps telling me how proud he is of me.