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

I found out about the surgery through coworkers that have had other forms of WLS.

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 any problems with getting insurance approval.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was not as informative as I would like. He is not a big communicator but I have heard that he is just reserved but clinically he is very good at what he does. I rely more upon the nurse and the nutritionist.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery so that I could take the necessary steps to take control of one more issue in my life towards living the life that I want to live. I have a checklist of goals: happiness, complete my masters degree, lose weight and get to a healthy weight (no longer considered obese) and do not settle for second best in any area of my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on the lap band because it was less invasive in comparison to the other procedures. Also, I will secure the help of a psychologist to work through the emotional side of the eating issues.

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 had some fears about the impact on my life but prayed on it and left things in God's hands. I would tell people that if you have exhausted other options and evaluated the various forms of WLS that they should do what they thinnk is best. I would never pretend to know what is best for another person and their situation.

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 are not as supportive as I would like but that is ok. This life of mine should not be defined by what others think.

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

My employer does not know and I prefer to leave it that way. I was only out of work for a week.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I viewed the educational video and did not attend an in person seminar. However, I plan to start attending the support group meetings in April.

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

My stay in the hospital was rather uneventful. The nursing staff was very kind. There was one nurse that had an attitude problem but she was only filling in while my usual nurse was at lunch so it was not that big of a deal.

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

No, I did not have any 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 felt a little under the weather the first couple of days but after that I was fine.

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

In the first week, I found that I had to ask for assistance with things that require bending over. But after day 4, I was up and about. I think everyone is unique so I cannot predict how others will make out post-op.

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

Less than 10 minutes away from my home.

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.

It has only been two weeks so I have just started the pureed part of my diet. I have had some moments where I noticed the bad habits such as eating too fast and waiting to long too eat are still part of my behavior. I am also less than perfect in recording my food diary.

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

I am walking for exercise every other day but I joined a gym and planned to ratchet up my activity level to walking every day for at least 30-40 minutes.

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

I take a multi vitamin, calcium citrate and a sublinqual B12 everyday.

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?

The nauseau subsided a couple days after surgery. I have not experienced any hair loss.

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

The worst part about the entire surgery was the stomach soreness from the hernia repair. I actually believe that if I did not have the hernia surgery would have been rather easy to bounce back from.

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

In April, I will start attending the support meetings.

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

I have five incisions and it actually looks better than I thought it would. The incisions are not that bad.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not plateaued but I expect that I will for the next four weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have not noticed anyone treating me differently but my family watches me and my eating habits to see if I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.