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

my ob/gyn had gastric bypass years ago and was the first to discuss this as an option with me and my initial thoughts were that if i couldn't be compliant and do things myself i wouldn't be compliant post op. I then met someone else who had the procedure done and had great success and started doing research then 2 co workers had lap band in a 2 month time frame and the thinking and research really started then until i decided it was my last chance

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 insurance at all. the only problems i had was with unknown medical conditions found during initial medical clearances

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

it was very informative but before i saw her i had to go to a seminar re both surgeries and was able to take my husband with me so many of our questions were answered at the seminar and the only questions wer really had wer specific to me ones

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

talking to friends who had had the surgery, talking to my family and my doctors.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i am a nurse at an admission unit and i decided to do the lap band because the only complications i saw these patients come into the hospital for was for dehydration yet the bypass patients were coming in for stoma strictures, obstructions, adhesions, and more. i felt lap band was the least invasive procedure with the research i did and i would like to have children and lap band is safer for pregnancy

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

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 was very open with everyone and my family supported me from day one work on the other hand some were supportive and some were not, but now everyone is on the bandwagon. i did have on friend who i had to have a little heart to heart with but she became very supportive once i gave her a little talking to.

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

my boss was great i only wanted to be off 2 weeks but after we talked about it we agreed on 3 weeks and see what happened. i just finished my 3rd week off and have to take a fourth because i pulled all the muscles in my stomach last week by getting up and walking too much too soon. i was doing a mile a day and i started on my one week post op. boy am i sorry now but my boss is still being great about it and says we will take it week to week she doesn't want me back until i feel 100%

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

my hospital stay was great. i checked in at 7am on monday and was discharged at 1100 on tuesday. most important thing to bring is chapstick your mouth/lips get very dry post op and you aren't allowed anything after surgery until the next day after a special xray to make sure the band is open and there is not too much swelling

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

i had absolutely no complications post op and very little pain

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 great until day 12 postop when i started with horrible stomach pain but it was different than post op it was more muscular and when i went to see my doctor she said i pulled a muscle in my abdomen from starting to walk too far too soon. i started walking a mile a day 7 days post op. i didn't have any anxiety just alot of frustration from the stomach pain because all i could take was tylenol and it does nothing for me for muscle pain

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

BORING. i was so sick of looking at my house and watching tv. i completed 3 Sudoku books and spent alot of time on my laptop especially after i pulled my stomach muscles and had to slow back down and couldn't get out as much

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

45 minutes

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 am now 3 weeks post op and am still on liquids but i only have 9 days left YIPEEEEE i ahve gotten very creative with the blender and even go out to resturaunts with out a problem. i haven't been nauseated yet have not vomitted have not found and aversion to anything (except the protien shakes are getting old)

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

my activity level was almost normal until when i pulled the muscle in my stomach then it went down (because i had to give it rest)

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

2 childrens chewable vitamins (target brand has higher than flintsonens and are cheaper too) and target brand tums twice a day

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?

nothing

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

i belong to a lap band support group and a bypass support group (because a friend runs it). they have been great i started the bypass group last may when i started the whole surgery process and the band group started in october and i haven't missed a meeting of either yet

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

port scar is the biggest about 2 inches long but not bad and the 4 other little ones aren't bad at all

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet