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

I saw numerous news stories on television as well as researched on the internet. I thought it was taking the easy way out. Boy was I wrong....

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

I was approved immediately due to comorbidities. My advice would be, do what your told to do and if first you don't succeed, try, try again.

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

My first visit with the surgeon was very informative. Take a list of questions with you so you don't forget to ask what you wanted to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My desire to live a heathier life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on the lapband because I felt it was less risky than some of the other sugeries.

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 fears of the anesthesia not working and me feeling the surgery and not being able to tell them. I got over the fear by having a long conversation with the anestesiologist prior to surgery and feeling comfortable with him.

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 and friends were supportive of my decision. Everyone has been supportive after the surgery and keeps me motivated.

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

I told my manager of my surgery plans prior to my surgery and she was very supportive. She wanted to make sure I was doing it for the right reasons, health vs. clothes size. I was back to work part time in less than a week.

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

My hospital stay was ok. I stayed overnight in the hospital. You sleep most of the time because your on pain meds. Bring your slip on slippers for walking around the floor after your bathroom breaks.

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

no complications, just the normal pain, take your pain meds, I tried to be a hero and not take anything, when I gave in, I finally got some needed rest.

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

After I got my surgery date I coped with the anxieties by talking about them with friends and family and by talking to others online that had already had the surgery.

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

In the weeks after surgery I felt regret, sadness, hunger, I coped with it by journaling on obesity help and using the message boards for support. It helped to know others had felt the same way.

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

I was lucky. I only had to travel about 25 minutes to the hospital and about the same distance to the surgeon

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 month I was on full liquids which I tolerated without any problem. The next month I was on pureed and then soft foods, I had no problems with either. After my 2nd fill 3months post up, I had problems with most meats and breads. I have had to learn to eat little bites and chew chew chew.

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

The first few days after surgery I spent sleeping and walking. From 1 week after, I resumed my normal work, home activity level.

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

I take 2 childrens chewable vitamins a day and 2 calcium supplements.

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 experienced an increase in facial acne 2 mos post op and then some hair loss 4 mos post op. Each resolved itself within a month. I coped with them by talking to others on the obesity help website that had experienced the same.

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

The first month on full liquids. I wanted to chew something so badly.

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

I haven't attended any meetings but log into obesity help every day for support. I feel that reading what other people are going through is very helpful.

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

My scars are not bad. I expected worse.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a period of about 6 weeks where the scale didn't budge. I just kept with the program and hoped for the best.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I think people treat you differently because you feel differently. If you have confidence, it shows.