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

I went through the evaluation, screenings and everything that was required by my insurance company for gastric bypass, even met the surgeon and had a date scheduled. I then found lap band on the internet. I began a year long informational crusade and decided that was the way I wanted to go.

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

For bypass it wasn't hard. But since I chose to go with the lap band, my insurance considered it experimental and would not pay. I went to Mexico and paid for it myself.

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

I spoke with my surgeon via phone and actually did not meet him until the day before my surgery. I had a very detailed list of questions to ask him. He was very nice, knowledgeable and put me completely at ease with having the surgery out of the US.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of the constant yo-yoing that I had done for over 20 yrs.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research, research, research.

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 wasn't afraid of the surgery. It was laparascopic, and those procedures aren't usually accompanied by any major side effects.

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 was afraid of my going outside the US, but they were all totally behind my decision to become healthier.

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

I simply told my employer that I needed to take a leave of absence for 2 weeks for a personal matter. It wasn't until the weight started coming off that people began to suspect what I had done.

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

I stayed in Oasis hospital for 2 days and then in a private villa for another day. It was beautiful!

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

No complications at all. I did have minor gas pain, but walk, walk, walk. That is the only thing that will help.

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 had buyer's remorse. I think that is pretty common. I grieved for food and my past eating habits for about a month. When I started to see the scale moving down, I became deliriously happy with my decision.

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

Rest and adhere to the diet that your Dr. prescribes. Different docs have different diets, be sure to obey what your doctor tells you to do.

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

From Illinois to Tijuana, Mexico. My only regret is that I did not have aftercare set up. I ended up going about 18 months without a fill or any type of post-op check ups.

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.

In the first week I didn't feel like eating anything. I would drink some juice when I began to feel shaky. After that I progressed to soft foods such as mashed potatoes, cream soups, yogurt and cottage cheese.

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

My activity level was ZIP for about 3 weeks post op. But it grew stronger every week after that.

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

I take one Flintstones chewable daily. I also just started a b-12 shot monthly.

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?

I really didn't have any side effects.

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

The traveling by myself and not being able to communicate with the hospital staff.

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

I rely on Obesity Help for all my questions and concerns.

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

3 tiny lap scars that are barely visible now, 6 years later.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

We all have them. Mine was due more to the lack of aftercare and fills. Once I found a doc to do fills for me, it's been all downhill, in a good way.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Of course. I get alot more attention in a size 8 than I ever did in a 24/26! haha!