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

I found out about gastric bypass years ago when my doctor referred me, but I was too afraid to go that route. I was listening to the radio one day and they were giving away two surgeries, adjustable gastric banding. The girls that won sounded just like me, and I became very interested. I researched for about three months before I actually went to an orentation at a weight loss center, and from there it all took off.....

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

This was very difficult, my insurance had a weight loss clause in and I was unable to fight it.

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

My first meeting with Dr. Hamn was very scary, it was like going to a new place and not knowing anything. I was really clueless about all the surgery aspects, I would suggest much more research before your first visit to the doctor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Finding the money. I was allready approved for gastric bypass several years ago, but too scared of the surgery and all the complications that go along with it. When I heard about the band, I knew it was for me and had to have it. It was just a matter of getting the financing.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The lap-band was the only thing that I even thought about because it was non-invasive and had very low risks associated with it.

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?

I had many people tell me that "your taking the easy way out," "just quit eating," "go on a diet," etc, etc. They were not really supportive of the surgery. Now that they have seen that the surgery has not only changed me on the outside but the inside too, they have a whole different outlook on it. I did communicate with them that I knew that I could loose weight on my own, anyone can, keeping it off is the problem, and this surgery will do that for the rest of my life.

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

FRISCO MEDICAL CENTER was wonderful. I only had to stay one night. The nurses were nice, the rooms were wonderful, ( my mother got gourmet meals delivered to her breakfast, lunch and dinner ), I could not have imagined a better place. When you have your surgery, don't forget chapstick, your lips will be soooooo dry and when you only get two ounces of liquid, you sure don't want to waste it moisturizing your lips.

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

No 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 have been sooooo excited that I really did not have anxiety until the night before, my sweet doctor gave me a nice little pill for that.

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

Depression. You do not understand what is going on inside of your body. You have soooo many questions to ask and not enough people to answer them for you. You look back and question the choice that you made and begin to doubt yourself.

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

30 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.

At first I was able to eat anything, after getting my band tightened, I have a hard time with any breads, fruit or chinese food.

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

Protein

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

This is very important....... I have three friends that have had or are having the surgery. The NewYouWMC.com has been very helpful, and the information provided on obesityhelp.com and also bandlandia.com.

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

They are hardly noticable to sight, however when you touch them there is alot of scar tissue that you can feel.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Shopping is more addictive than it was before.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Totally different, in positive and negative ways. It is funny that people react so differently to a thin person than an overweight person.