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

I investigated bariatric surgery almost 14 years ago after I had my daughter but I didn't like the idea of them rearranging my insides. Then approx. 2 years ago my sister-in-law had lap band surgery. That interested me, never heard of it before. I started investigating it and spoke with my PCP and here I am.

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

I really had no problems with my insurance company. Everything went smoothly.

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

Palms of Pasadena. It was an overnight stay. The staff there was pretty good. No real problems.

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

No complications as of yet.

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 so excited. The weight was coming off and I was ecstatic. Sometimes I forgot I had the band until I ate of course.

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

The gas was the worst. I felt like I was 10 months pregnant. The only thing that worked for me was Gas X. Get walking as soon as possible, it helps in the recovery.

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

Approximately 60 miles. It has not affected my aftercare.

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.

Chicken breast and pork chops. My surgeon wants us to keep our carb intake less than 20 gms./day.

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

Each day got better. By the end of 2 weeks, I was back to normal. I started excercising slowly. Now, I excercise 6 days a week.

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

Multivitamin and calcium chew.

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?

None so far

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

I haven't had any yet

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

I visit my surgeon monthly and my PCP monthly along with labs.

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

I was kind of surprised at the length of the port scar. It is so ugly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been a slow loser. I just take it a week at a time and I measure my body every week. If the scale doesn't move, I always lose inches somewhere.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not as of yet.