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

whent to a support group with a friend

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

louis at dr aranows office did all the work wasnt a problem

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

very comfortable and the best dr i have Dr. Aranow is the best people will get alot from this meeting because you learn alot

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

the weight problem having diabetes and acid feflux tired of being on medications tired of not being healthy and wanted to see my grandchildern grow up

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

wanted the gastric bypass but had to settle for the lap band because i have a pre cancerous tumor in my pancreas and if the have to remove it it would rip the staples and this way they can release the band without danger

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?

had none, had the most confidence in dr. aranow and knew alot of people that he has done the surgery on and they had no complications

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?

they were all fine with my decesion and thought it would do me a world of good and they were all very supportive

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

worked out well because i was out of work at the time due to a work related injury

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

the stay was excellent the staff was very good i was only in for a day and 1/2 only think i had to bring was my robe and slippers

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

none went very well just like i expected thank you dr. aranow

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

was very excited and couldnt wait for that day couldnt come fast enough

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

went very well only problem i had was forcing down those protein shakes because i thought they were nasty tasting

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

middlesex hospital only about 20 mins. from where i live

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.

first 6 weeks only protein shakes then moved onto soup jello and pudding have a terrible time with bread of any kind and have a problem with just about all foods when i get my band filled because it gets very restricted

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

very active never had so much energy

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

centrum chewables and b12 sublinguals and caltrate

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?

had hair loss have vomiting when my band is restricted and i dont sleep through the night but i never did anyways

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

nothing but i wish the process was quicker because i was so looking forward to it that it felt like it took forever to get here

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

there is a post op band support group every 2nd monday every month which is very helpful

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

the are very small 4 tiny ones and 1 about 2 inches wide very minor

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

just very quick in the beginning then slows down but cant complain 90lbs in 18mos isnt bad at all cant complain

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes people dont look at me like ooh look at how fat she is but all my friends and family treat me the same they never treated me differently when i was fatter