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

The first I heard about bariatric surgery was when Al Roker, the national weatherman did it. It was in the back of my mind ever since. When I heard about the lapbanc option, I decided the less invasive procedure was for me.

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

I had an easier time than I thought. I did see my primary care provider first who sent me to a nutritionist and prescribed Chantix (quitting smoking was a pre-requisite of having my surgery done). My dieting and weight history was documented. My new diagnoses of hypertension and pre-diabetes was the catalyst for me to go to the surgery information session. After seeing the surgeon, he said I was a good candidate for lapband and I was approved within a week.

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

He is very upbeat. He explained the surgery, showed me a model of the lapband and answered my questions. He said I could change my mind and switch to doing a gastric by-pass at any time. He was very helpful.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My age, changing health status, the desire to get some energy back, be healthier, and to fit into clothes not labeled "W".

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lapband is less invasive. The thought of rearranging my organs was more disturbing to me than having a device implanted. Lapband seems less severe in terms of ability to digest foods and nutrients. It is slower for weight loss but that is okay with me.

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?

Though I'd never had surgery before, I didn't have any real fears about it. If anything, it was more difficult than I expected. I anticipated and planned on going home the same day, but I didn't recover well from anesthesia and had to spend the night.

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 Mother was especially supportive - she is the one who brought the Lapband procedure to my attention. My sisters have been supportive. One sister would probably consider it herself except she has no insurance.

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

I did not tell my Supervisor. I took one week off, following the Christmas/New Year holidays. I had enough leave to take the time off.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I'm glad I attended. It was informative and probably conservative in their estimate of who would qualify for surgery. I was a borderline candidate but decided to apply anyway. I would recommend that for anyone.

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

I planned on going home the same day as my surgery. However I wasn't able to urinate (the requirement for my release). Finally they decided I could spend the night. This was my first surgery and my first stay in a hospital. I was woken every two hours or so for blood pressure checks and for having blood taken. I didn't get much rest and was very glad to go home the next morning.

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

I've had no complications so far except for a bout of constipation which I had never had before. It was painful enough that I called the doctor's office.

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 didn't have much anxiety at all. I was looking forward to changing my life.

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

The first few days I was not able to sleep in a bed - I was too sore from the surgery. I was able to sleep in a reclining chair. By the end of the week I felt well enough to go for a quick outing to the mall. I returned to work one week after surgery. The next two weeks were fine.

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

I live in Durham, so the Duke Weight Loss Center was very close and convenient for me.

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 drank only liquids the first three weeks following surgery. By the last day of the third week I was ready for food! I was able to eat "fork-tender" foods in the second three weeks. I'm now able to eat everything I try. I do chew my food carefully and do make sure meat is not dry.

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

I did not walk as much as I should have in the first 5 weeks. I did join a gym and now walk 30 minutes. I will start doing weight machines in the near future.

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

I'm taking a multi-vitamin and calcium 3x 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?

The first three weeks I wasn't able to sleep through the night and woke up feeling dehydrated. I haven't had any other side effects yet, though I have heard about hair loss due to lack of protein.

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

The worst was expecting to be able to go home the day of surgery - and even possibly make a 3 hour drive to the beach a couple of days later to re-cuperate. Recovering from surgery was more difficult than I expected.

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

I have been to one of the group sessions at the Duke Weight Loss Center. They also have a monthly group open to the public, which I haven't yet attended. I have signed up with Obesity Help and FatSecret to track my excercise and calories. There is a meet-up group about an hour from my home and I may attend that.

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

I knew that I would have 5 incisions, but no real expectation of how big or small they would be. I was excited that I would not have stitches, and only a glue substance to close the incision and lessen scarring. My surgeon is pleased with how the incisions have healed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've not experienced a plateau yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No.