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

I first heard of the lap band.and thought this is for me,I don't remember were I was ,but knew there was hope.

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

For me it was very fast, first letter within a week.I felt they were willing to help me help myself. I cryed I no longer was going to be fat.I have read were people have tried for months to get approved,I think because they never gave up trying the insurance companys believed in the people.

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

My first visit was a little nerve racking at first .I thought my doctor would think I was to fat and had to many health problems to help me.( I had two hernia's fixed and worried about scar tissue)But only after about 10 minutes I felt more relaxed and knew I was making the right choice, he was willing to help me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I truely felt that this was the last stop for me, I had tried so many things and failed .and believed I would be dead in less than 5 years.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I need a perminant fix, something to keep me honest .a way that my boby would know if I ate the wrong or to much foods.

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 did not fear dying only knew in my gut it was this or my children without a mother.There was no question I had to do this for me.

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 family was not a problem they saw that being over weight was taking the will to live out of me, how unhappy I was.They stood behind me.and still do.

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 not the problem, but a co worker who after a long year had taken off 100 lbs only to put it back on plus some,told me I was cheating and would not feel the same way about her any more,,the truth is it's been 7.5 months and my friend no longer talks to me,always to busy and is in a hurry and will call me later,well latter never comes.and that hurts.

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

My stay was 2 days and the staff at the Toledo Hospital were the best,I am so glad I had it done there.They truely cared they made you feel like they were family.They never made me feel like if I wasn't this fat I would not be here and fat people are gross. I wished the stay was longer.

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

no

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

In the weeks that followed the only discomfort was trying to lay flat.I was worried about my first weigh in ,if I had lost enough.

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

Well sleeping in your bed is out of the question,it hurt to set up (yes you use your stomach mussels)so the first 2.5-3 weeks I sleep in my recliner . There was really no pain in my stomach but my boby in a whole.

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

Less than half a mile.

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.

The first weeks were the hardest, 4 oz of oatmeal for breakfast and cream of something soup for lunch and dinner and a snack before bed.After 6 weeks more things were added like scrambled eggs and low fat cottage cheese,soft things.At 6 weeks I also got salad back. Some of the things that you ate the day before sometimes did not work the next time.I now am 7.5 months out and can have most everything except nuts and celery.

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

At first things went slow and as the months went by I was able to keep up with the family.

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

B-12 Iron prenatal vitamins

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 had hair loss right at 3 months out , then I started taking pre natal vitiamins and the hair loss stopped with in two weeks.

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

Waiting so long ,I should have done this years ago.

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

I go to a surport meeting through the Toledo Hospital,It meets only once a month,I do wish it was more.

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

I only was left with 9 poke holes no big deal.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

My first plateau was very hard for me, after being stuck for a long time I started the old habbits,Got mad at myself and got it toghter.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Only the people from the past, the new people that did not know me before are none the wiser.