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

A co worker had had it done and in a very short time had totally lost her weight. I knew that the lapband was not as invasive a surgery. I thought that it would be wonderful and dreamed about it, because the doctor she used did not bill insurance and at that time it was $32,000.00 and there was like never going to be any way that I could afford that.

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

My (new) doctor did everything he could - letters, calls, everything to try to get my insurance to cover my surgery, he did not want me to have it done in Mexico which is what I was planning. It cost $8200.00 vs $13,000.00 here. But my husband works for what they term a smaller company and anything to do with weight loss was not a part of the insurance plan. My husband got a great bonus that year for Christmas and wanted me to have the surgery and my mom pitched in too! And by paying cash or funding it myself I didn't have to do the 6 mths of doctor approved diet and therapy.

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

Ask questions, ask questions, ask questions. My surgeon was very forward in telling me the lapband would not do it for me, it was a tool to help me in getting the weight off. And like any tool it works best when you know how to use it properly. He fully explained how he would do the surgery. Showed me a real band explained how it would work. The complications you could have. The after care as far as being aggressive in your fills. Not getting in the habits of soft, high caloric foods.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My husband giving his Christmas bonus to me for the surgery and my mom helping with the rest. They literally gave me my life back.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew as soon as I heard about the lapband that was the way I wanted to do it. It is so less invasive and easier on the body and recovery was not bad at all.

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 about the surgery, particularly going to a foreign country. You hear stories, about cleanliness, no regulations, etc. But I also had fears about my health, staying like I was or getting bigger. Heart disease and diabetes runs in my family big time. Those are scary too. For me it was deciding what quality could I get back in my life, because I did not really have a life. I was here but not a participant in life. Does that make sense? I would tell people to take a look at life as they are living presently and weigh that with what they could be doing if they had better health and energy. And for me, prayer and faith in God that he would protect me through the surgery and I knew others were praying hard on my behalf.

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 worried about me going to Mexico to have it done but I assured them I had checked everything and had met and personally talked with a few people that had gone there and a year later were still alive and doing well and had raved about the hospital being clean and the fact that Dr. Aceves had been doing the surgeries longer than most doctors in my area. They were supportive and even more so when they saw that it was working for me.

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

Was substitute teaching at the time, so time off was not a problem. Went back to work within a couple of weeks. Supervisor was worried about me going to Mexico to have it done, but I told her I did not see an option I could not afford it over here.

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

The hospital staff took very good care of me. I had a private room. They let my husband stay on a couch in the room. We had planned to pay extra days at the hotel for him but it was 6 miles away, not where he could walk back and forth and visit me easily. I was in the hospital 3 days. No problems. I would make sure to bring slippers and a robe. You have to get moving to work out the gas. Oh yeah, those gasX strips are a good idea to have if you need them.

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?

Excited, nervous. But mostly empowered because I was making a pro-active decision that would change the rest of my life.

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

Well, with the lapband, this is the time most would call bandster hell. Depending on your doctors instructions. With my doctors instructions at this time I was still on clear liquids and wanting anything but! You are also learning how to use your new tool, how to pay attention to your full signs. Hopefully you already stocked up on what you can have jello, broths, etc. You really have to be strong and tell yourself you can do this. In the scheme of things, it really is only a short time and an important time because you are healing.

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

From Dallas, TX to San Diego, CA then 2 hours to the hospital. Dr. Aceves offers free fills for life except for the xray fee. I don't fly that often and knew I would have to find local care. Dr. Aceves' website has a list of doctors in different states that will do his patients' fills. Because he used a "Inamed" brand band and I had all my surgery notes and hospital test and Barium swallow xray, I was able to find a doctor in Denton, TX. Dr. Stewart was excellent with my fills and very good with 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.

Well, Dr. Aceves starts you out on clear liquids for a few weeks, then you progress to little thicker liquids like orange juice, tomato soup, etc. for a few more weeks then you move up to soft foods. Yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. And then in about six to eight weeks you are moving on to salads, chicken, etc. Your meats need to be moist, if they are dry you will have problems. You have to take tiny bites and chew really well. You eat about 1/2 cup total (vegies, meat, etc) three times a day and a snack. You do not want to get in the habit of eating all day or 6 tiny meals a day. You will stay full. You can not drink with your meals, you need to drink before you eat and not again til at least 30 to 40 mins after you meal. This is important because if you drink right after you eat you are just washing your food through and you won't stay full for 3 or 4 hours. Sodas are not good because you don't have room or any where for the "gas" to go. For me I would go through this week I can eat chicken, next week it would give me problems or maybe a few bites of pork chop would be okay, then next time it wouldn't. It is called living with your band. Breads and doughy things are a no no, they clump back together in your little stomach and stop it up, and it will come back up! Don't need to be eating them anyway. Same with cheese sometimes. It helps to take a bite of something, then change textures for the next bite. I really like pizza and when the family went the first time after surgery and I was on solids, I tried, had to go to the bathroom quick. So I learned if that is what the family wants fine. I pick off the top of pizza and slowly eat that with some salad. Just can't do breads and doughs.

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

At first took it easy, then by the time was on thicker liquids was getting energy and then more and more energy, losing weight, the more I moved the more I lost and wasn't hungry for hours. It was amazing.

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

I started with liquid Centrum multiple vitamin and a calciumD pill. I now am using a Wal mart brand chewable multiple vitamin and a chewable calcuim with vitamin D from the doctors' office. I had a problem after about my 5th fill and I think it was due to the calcuim D pill getting stuck in the smaller hole of my band, so it is chewables for me.

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 trouble with gas in abdomin and shoulders for a few days after surgery (where they use it to blow your organs away from each other). You have to move and walk, try gas x, for some it's no big deal for others it really is painful. I am a tummy sleeper so I had trouble sleeping, til my incisions healed or at least got less tender. So I slept on side or back.

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

For me the nerves, because of doing it out of the country. But it went great and I really had nothing to worry about in Dr. Aceves' and his staff's hands.

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

I live really far away from town, so what support I got was online with my computer. Dr. Aceves' website has a blog forum that I visited as well as another bandster group blog. Very helpful with encouragement, food ideas, reading what others are going through, what trouble they might have had like night reflux and that you might be over filled. Tips like changing textures with each bite. New products, where to find them. Like Pringles has out a new baked wheat stick snack that is only 90 calories for a package of about 14 sticks, one of the flavors is pizza - wonderful. It is a great substitute when you want that pizza taste.

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

I have about a 3/4" scar where the put the port and it does not bother me any.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am just past a year with my surgery and am just now really going through my first plateau. I have been at the same weight for about 4 weeks now. I know I need to step up my exercise. Been working on getting my pool ready, not ready for me to get in it yet....and I feel I am ready for another fill just need to get up my $150.00 and go. Had to pay for the first year up front so it was easy then to call and go in. I have lost 150 pounds and I know the closer you get to goal the harder it is to lose. I have heard that you can walk in a weighted vest and that helps trick your body into thinking it is working harder, just like it did working to move all that weight you had before.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I get more respect at public places when I need help. And people seem nicer to you, more open than when I was heavier.