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

First learned about weight loss surgery about 25 years ago. I was frightened, but interested.

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

I had no problems with my husband's insurance. The weight loss center did an excellent job of writing up and submitting my history of obesity.

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

Dr. Byars was so kind and understanding. He will answer all of your questions. There are no dumb questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Tired of being overweight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I read about LAP-Band and bypass. Discussed both with my doctor. The final decision was mine. I really appreciated that.

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 willing to take the chance.

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 didn't tell them because they would have tried to talk me out of it. Once I made my mind up, I didn't want any opinions from others.

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

Very encouraging.

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

In the hospital 3 days. Developed pneumonia. Staff and Dr. very attentive.

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?

Excited and anxious. Just reminded myself why I was having the surgery.

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

Returned to work one week from surgery date. Just took it slow. Drove, but I didn't pick up anything heavy. Took my time walking.

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

same town.

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.

couldn't eat anything that wasn't soft. I sure did want to (surgery in November). I tried, but the food wouldn't go down. I can eat anything that I want now. I just get full on small portions. It took me a while to adjust to being satisfied with small portions. I still had head hunger. Now I am so happy that I can eat a small amount and be satified.

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

Returned to work, did house work, walked, drove, etc.

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

multivitamin and potassium

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?

nausea went away quickly.

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

First few hours of surgical pain. But as I walked, I felt so much better.

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

I use the Lap-band forum

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

Almost invisisble now.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

my plateaus were do to my not eating right. Now that I let my band control my food intake, I am steadily losing weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People just keep commenting about my weight loss. Sometimes I get embarrassed. I am not used to the attention.