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

I had always heard things here or there...reading on the web, reading medical journals, Personal Stories on TLC. I would never consider WLS because of the drastic measures and changes required of my body to acheive a goal. The financial aspect of it was also quite scary. I watched an episode on TLC about WLS, and they were focusing on the Lap-Band, and I knew if any WLS was going to happen in my life this would be the one!

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

As of right now I am still in the process. My surgeon has submitted to the insurance as of 7/9/03. On 7/11/03 she called me but I missed the call...will call her back on monday.....been crossing fingers....toes...eyes...anything in attempt to receive good news when I do call. If they approved, and thats the reason shes calling....That means I was approved with 3 days!

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

I was lucky in my surgeon is such a sweetheart! He was the first surgeon in the state of Wisconsin to perform a lap-gall bladder surgery, and the first doctor in Wisconsin to install a Lap-Band. He is very human, has a great sense of humor, and doesnt hesitate to answer any questions you may have. I had been researching the band thru the internet and in many support groups for over a year and didnt have many question however.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I realized that my children were suffering from my weight. I didnt want to be dragged down by it, and wanted to be everything that they needed me to be. The first realization was during a private time with my husband. He has been the love of my life, besides my babies, and even after 8 yrs married(I'm 27) he had a way of making me feel nothing but perfect. We have a oval dressing mirror in the corner of our master bedroom, and I caught a glimpse of myself. I realized at that point that the way I felt with my husband was just a deception of my true appearance.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wouldnt consider WLS if the Lap-Band werent available. I would rather struggle eternally if it meant having to have my insides rearranged. (I like the inside, just not the outside!LOL)

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 think I have the same fears as many others. What If I die on the table? What if they cant place the band? What if it doesnt work for me? But I leave it all in Gods capable hands. He and only he has the true design to my life...afterall, I can only make small alterations.

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?

Those that I have told about my wants and desires for the WLS have been supportive. I should say that some have been supportive with a hint of jealousy, But that is their mental barriers they have to deal with. I am doing this for me, and my husband and my children. Everyone else can come along for the ride if they choose to do so.

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

Being a stay at home mom.....im my own boss...lol....The Boss will be very happy post-op!!LOL Do moms ever not work????lol

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

My stay was good...the staff was excellent. I had my monthly however, and between that, post op anestesia issues and becoming ill with the morphine... I was quite unpleasant and had to stay over night. Most would be out patient, but I had to be told to breathe at times because all of a sudden... I'd forget.....so they kept me.....understandably.

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

Just issues with morpine.

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 ok...although 4 days post op I ended up back in the hospital with the flu, 104 fevers, sever diarrhea, they had to do an MRI to make sure it wasn't my band... extreme nausea...

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

Take it easy. Carry a pillow with you if you're not using a binder...use it to hold on your tummy when you get up from sitting....use it to hold to use for coughing and sneezing....and when laying in bed...swing your legs over first and push up from the side....it will be less painful.....all else fails....use a reclining chair.....it was a lifesaver.

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

About an hour for surgery and aftercare. A manageable distance.

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.

There isn't much I couldn't eat once I got into the solid food stages. Liquids were very short with my surgeon....clear one day, full one day, mushies for a week....then on to solid progression.

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

Started out slow, but as the pain dissapated.....it greatly increased...8 days post op I was down 17lbs....so you could imagine how much better you feel after that loss and with continuing loss. :)

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

I take a multi vitamin, B150 complex, Metformin for IR and PCOS, Iron supplement and BCP's to manage the PCOS.

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?

Hair loss was bad.....so sucky since I had alot of hair...and I greatly miss it.... I think it had a hard time recouping after surgery and then the PCOS issues.......still lucky to have the pretty hair I have......but miss the old locks... ;-)

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

Relearning to eat I think......you forget and you eat to quickly....but at the same time in learning.....you realize how poorly others eat now that you're aware....and you'll become critical of others.

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

I had yahoo support groups, and my family and friends. It's very important to have someone or a couple someones to see on a daily basis......those ears and shoulders to turn to...They will make the greatest difference in the world.

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

My scars are barely there. Being quite fair skinned...my scars are silvery, and look like perfectly straight stretch marks.. :) Let's hope they hold the same attributes with a tummy tuck later down the line.. :)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had many.....too many to count.... my port was broken twice, so the lapse in time has been annoying... I'm still trying to make my way out of those plateau moments. The best way to get out of them is to do what you know......low carb, high protein...water water water, and exercise your butt off.......you'll break it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes and no...I get more attention from men as my shape is defining more than it was. I was always shaped well for being the size I was...but now it's even more than evident. Anyone I've talked to about my surgery has been supportive and inquisitive, and rooting me on. :)