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

About four years ago my friends started having Gastric Bypass - but I was totally turned off because of how "public" and severe it seemed. Another friend turned me on to Lap-band one year ago.

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

Took me 8-10 months to get approval - had to get my employer involved in my appeal ... dont give up!

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

My surgeon required a seminar attendance before seeing him - I'd read so much on the internet that I really did not have any questions - except, "when can we do it?"

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I went over 200 pounds.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Wanted gradual weight loss, non-evasive, and didnt want to miss work - discreet.

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 only feared not being able to have lapascropic surgery, but I knew that a big scar for me was better than being overweight ... but all went fine. Just six small lapascropic scars.

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 husband, best friend, two other close friends, and my sisters are the only ones who know - and they totally support me.

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 them. I was out of work two days.

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

Bring positive attitude. Stay was 24 hours. My hospital was great ... walk, walk, walk.

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

None - my doctor told me that I had the shortest discharge paper he'd ever seen.

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 did fret a bit about not being able to eat red meat and bread. I havent attempted eating bread yet, cause I think I should wait a while longer - and I really miss it. I am just hanging in there for my six months so I can have me a steak! I love red meat - medium rare - yum! I just have to learn to eat it slow and much smaller portion. As far as after surgery - I used pain meds for about a week. Sleeping without it was impossible. My port area frightened me, I was afraid I was going to mess it up. The best advice my doc gave me at my 2 week post-op was forget about it ... act like it isnt even there.

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

Take it easy, your body is healing and going through a big change. You may tire easily, be sore, and be hungry.

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

20 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 am still just 1 month post-op. I was on liquids for two weeks and then my doc said I could move to foods slowly, chew really good ... but still no bread, red meat, or lettuce. I find I have a lot of gas now ... burp and flagalence.

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

Slow for a week, but back to normal after that.

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

Flintstone with iron x 3 daily.

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?

gas

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

insurance approval

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

My doc offers a monthly support group meeting ... I've never been. www.obesityhelp.com --> boards are my biggest support ... that and my husband

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

My port scar is a little bigger than I expected, but it's normal.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am plateauing now - I think because I am PMSing. I am craving sweets right now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, because most people do not know.