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

Talk shows....my first impression was that it was to drastic and I can do this by myself.

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

I tried for several years, but all my insurance companies excluded weight loss surgery and then when I could I switched over to a insurance carrier that allowed the surgery. I first had to be on a 6 month doctor supervised weight loss diet and then when that did not yield the results they required, I was approved.

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

My meeting was very informative. I took my husband, this really helped. The questions I did not think about he did and vise versa.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I could not stand to look at myself and I was tired of being limited by my weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I liked the LapBand, it to me seemed like the most healthy way to lose the weight.

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 have any fears. I knew this was my only chance and if I died on the table, then that was the Lord's will. My weight was killing me, it was just slower and more miserable.

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 very supportive and still is. They were very excited for me.

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

My employer was very happy for me and worked with me on my pre op visits and post op visits. I was only off work 2 weeks.

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

My hospital stay was uneventful. I was only in over night.

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?

Excited....I truly looked forward to my surgery.

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

Alittle slow moving, but for the most part felt really good.

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

5 miles

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 was on a liquid diet for 10 days pre op and 10 days post op and then I moved to pureed foods/baby foods, 2 weeks and then soft foods 1 week and then to solid foods. I am not able to eat thick breads, carboninated drinks and fibrous foods.

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

I was allowed to walk, but no streneous exercise.

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

Chewable multi vitamin, Iron supplement (no usual for most), and I do a protein shake once a day to ensure I receive all my protein for the 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?

The only side effect I have had is a little nausea and only vomitted once because I did not eat slow enough.

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

The 10 day pre op liquid diet

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

I attend a weekly bible study/weight loss group every Tuesday and I attend a monthly LapBand meeting. They are wonderful.

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

My scars are very minimal and healed very nicely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When it is time for an adjustment in the Band I do experience a plateau and sometimes it is fustrating, but then I go see Dr. McEwen for an adjustment and I am off again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No yet.