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

I first heard about gastric bypass through magazine articles, I suppose. My initial impressions was that it sounded pretty drastic and dangerous.

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

My insurance approved me over the phone with the office administrator in about five minutes. There were no hassles of any kind. I really cannot advise anyone as I had no trouble.

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

I met with 2 surgeons, as they work together. To get the most out of the meeting, being informed about the procedure you are interested in helps in asking the right questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The fact that I was a good candidate for the surgery helped me in making the final decision and the fact that this was my last hope.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After discussing the Lapband procedure with my surgeons and my family, we decided that would be the best option for me. It seemed less invasive and reversible.

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?

Having fears about the surgery and complicatons are normal. But, I knew I was in good hands. The percentages of complications was low.

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 totally supportive. I do not know anyone in my circle who was not supportive.

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

I am not employed outside the home.

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

I stayed in the hospital overnight. My stay was okay. Sometimes it took the nurses on duty a while to come and help me if I called. But the nurses were very nice--and most quite helpful.

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

I had 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?

After feeling very anxious upon getting my surgery date, I began to settle down. I read my manual alot so I could be prepared for what was going to happen.

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

The first few days after surgery I felt only discomfort. On the fourth day, while going off my pain medication, I fell into a depression. On the sixth day the cloud lifted and I began to feel really good. As each day went by I felt better and better. Mentally my mind was clearing up. My body was beginning to feel so much better from what it had been even a month before. I had to be careful not to overdue thngs as I was still healing, but feeling so good at the same time.

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

I traveled about five miles for my surgery. It was at a hospital on my side of 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.

My first week week I was on clear liquids (broth, jello, protein drinks, water, flavored water, etc.). My second week I was on full liquids (all of the above, plus cream soups, pudding, etc.) --nothing was allowed with chunks. I was to get in as much protein as I could. Everything had to be very smooth and watered down with broth or water or milk. Nothing could be chewed. I was not allowed to drink anything carbonated and still cannot ever drink carbonation. My third and fourth weeks I was on mushy and smooth foods. About the consistency of applesauce, but still no chunks of anything (blended oatmeal, soups, blended beans, turkey, tuna, chicken, fish) . Everything still had to be blended. Mostly protein, as will be my diet for the rest of my life. The fifth week I began the normal bariatric diet. Which consisted of 4 ounces of mostly protein 3 times a day. That is the diet I am following now at 3 months since surgery. At this point I can chew, but I must chew until the food is the consistency of applesauce. I can eat most anything--no steak for now--but all other proteins are allowed. My meal must consist mainly of solid food, not liquids. I can eat cooked vegetables and mush fruit. I'm following a low fat, low sugar diet.

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

My activity level after surgery was still rather low since I was recovering from the surgery and did not want to do anything that might cause complications. Mostly I walked, but not for long periods of time. I took it easy. About the third week I began to do some sustained walking--30 minutes or so. After about a month my energy level had increased to much I was able to get out in the yard and do yard work. In the latter part of the third month I increased my exercise to 45-60 minutes of exercise 3 times a week, plus regular household duties that used to wear me out. Now as I begin my fourth month I have added bicycle riding to my exercise routine.

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

Since surgery I take 2 chewable multi-vitamins a day, 4 (1600 mg) of chewable calcium, one packet of liquid fish oil, and 2 fiber 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?

The worse side effect has been constipation. I am finally getting control of that through increased fiber consumption (fiber supplements, prunes, high fiber cereal). Another side effect was having to sleep on my back for the first 3 weeks. Sleeping on my side was very uncomfortable. Most nights I ended getting up and sitting in a chair to sleep. That was the most comfortable position to sleep in. I have had no nausea, vomiting, dumping for hair loss.

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

The worst part has been dealing with the constipation and trying to figure out the best plan of action.

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

We have a support group that meets once a month. This has been very important as it gives me a chance to meet other people who have gone through the same surgery and can help me see what is ahead. I can also be a help to those who are considering surgery.

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

I had laprascopic surgery. I have an incision about 2 inches long where my port was put in for my lapband. I have 4 other small incisions about 1/4". This is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have only had one plateau experience where I remained the same weight for 2 weeks and then gained a pound the next week. I believe most of it was due to my period. The next week after my period, I lost ten pounds. I'm now 6 months out our surgery. I still plateau about every 4 weeks. I will stay at a certain weight for a couple of weeks and then lose 2-4 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, I do not. But I do notice that people are telling me that my outlook is so much brighter these days and my face shines with happiness.