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

People talking about it. I never really thought about it.

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

For someone who is morbidly obese, I thought the process was too burdensome. Be sure you follow each step of the process.

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

My first meeting was disappointing because I really wanted to have gastric bypass not lap band surgery. The surgeon would not do and recommended that I go to Dallas (120 miles from home). He did say he would do the lap band.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Tired of being tired and gawked at.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon would not do the other one.

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 was at peace.

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 supportive.

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

My supervisor was fine. I told him I would be out 2 weeks.

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

I stayed overnight. The stay was wonderful. A pillow for the ride home.

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

I had none.

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 at peace with the decision.

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

Expect some soreness for about a week. The post op diet is difficult.

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

65 miles

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 have been able to eat anything. At 5 months, I can eat whatever what I want, only in limited amounts. I have not been limited by the type of foods. I choose to not eat certain things.

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

Normal

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

I take 2 multivitamins and chewable calcium.

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

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

Finding my sweet spot

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

Comprehensive bariatric center provides lap band support group meetings monthly. The meetings were a little helpful but not much.

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

My scar is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Since January, I have not lost any weight overall. I lose some one week and then gain the next. It's very discouraging right now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No.