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

I am a surgical technician so I've known about the surgery for many years. I probably would have done it long ago but didn't have insurance that would pay for it until now.

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

I'm still in the process of getting approval but it turns out that it isn't the insurance company I'm waiting on, it was the new girl at the doctor's office. She didn't know what to do or what steps to take.

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

Dr. Dillawn is the most wonderful surgeon. He is so complete when discussing everything. Even knowing me in surgery he still wants to make sure you make the right decision. Actually tries to scare you away from having the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have tried every weight loss diet I can think of. I've reached my limit, I'm desperate.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The banding is more for portion control than what food you eat. After keeping journals of my eating habits, my problem is mainly what I eat not portions.

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?

You hear so much about the deaths from this surgery but as a surgical technician I know death rates are with other surgeries as well. They just make a big deal about bariatric cases. People have much more complications if they don't follow the advise of post op, for example; get up and move. That is the biggest thing. You must get up and move to get your blood flowing.

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 is very supportive. I have friends that are against me having the surgery because of the "deaths" they hear so much about. I love my friends but the ones that are against it are the ones that have never had a weight problem in their lives.

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

Everyone at work has been the most supportive of all.

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

Most of the staff was wonderful. There were a couple that just didn't understand having a weight problem. You know the type! Skinny all their lives. Just take your personal items such as shampoo, toothpaste. I felt so much better using my own items. Of course you are given most things you need but just didn't have the same comfort as my own. So the second day my family brought me my items and it was great.

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

Only real complications were they did finally diagnose me with sleep apnea. They needed to put a monitor on me to alarm when I stopped breathing. It drove me insane. LOL.... Because of my breathing my oxygen level was dangerously low. They were constantly struggling to get me oxygen. My breathing treatments of course helped a great deal. Have to say though, I haven't needed my inhalers or my breathing treatments since getting out of the hospital. It's been so wonderful.

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!!!!!!! Couldn't sit still. How did I cope? Didn't!!!!!

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

Simply take it easy. You feel so wonderful I started to clean house and wammmmmm. It hit me. I had over done it.

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

Didn't travel. Surgery was at the facility that I work at.

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.

I can't eat pasta which was my most difficult at first. Don't miss it any longer though. White bread I also can't tolerate. I can eat a bite or two of wheat bread which is good. The best though is the low carb wheat tortilla's.

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

Extremely High. Nothing more to say about it. Yesterday I just did the yard work. All of it. Didn't have to break it up over a few weeks like before the surgery. LOVE IT!!!!!!!

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

I tried the flinstone chewable's at first but wasn't getting enough. Tried a few others as well. Found that the GNC Mega Vitamin in the green bottle was the best. It was a liquid. I just changed over to the pill form now that I'm two months post op. We'll see how I tolerate them. They are huge.

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?

Haven't dealt with the hair loss yet. Scared though cause I have such thin/fine hair. Won't take much and I'll be bald. Vomiting was only a problem when I eat too much because I ate to fast. Don't do it..........

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

Standing up for the leak test the next morning. I have to say that it was the worse part of the whole thing. Stomach muscles were so sore. Make sure you get your pain meds before going to take the test.

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

We do have a support group at my hospital but I haven't made it yet. The obesityhelp.com website is the most wonderful support I believe. Well that and all my friends and family that have been so great to me.

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

Five small nicks. Nothing much to even think about.