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

I found out about the LapBand on the Internet. My impression of it was happiness.

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

If you're serious about the surgery do what ever you can to get the coverage or to pay out of pocket it's the best thing you can do for yourself

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

My first visit with Dr Sandor was very kind and compassionate with your needs. He is very informative with what you chose and explains everything in your terms

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

to have my life back

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Which was less time out of work and which one was for me.

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 no fears. If GOD was going to take me home that was ok with me because it was my time.

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 support system is the best. I couldn't ask for more.

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

My employer, I can't say enough about them. It's the best job I've ever had. The support is always there. I was only out of work for a week anf I went to visit during that week I was out.

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

My stay at the hospital was a great experience. I was only there over night and the care was great. The most important thing to bring is yourself.

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

No complication

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

After I got my surgery date I was counting the days. I was looking forward to it.

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

I was a little sore but I couldn't sit still. I was always doing something. My husband was yelling at me to slow down.

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

Not far

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.

Before surgery, 2weeks before I was on a liquid diet. Also before before surgery I had to lose 5lbs. I can't eat peanuts because they're hard to digest, I chose healthy foods. Salads are my best breind. I stay away from pasta and bread

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

I love walking

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

I take a liquid multi. vitamin

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?

I didn't have any sie effects

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

nothing

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

My aftercare support is important to me. You meet people that are in different stages of their wight loss.

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

My scar is what I expected and it doesn't bother me it's a reminder of what I went through to help me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm always experiencing great things.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet