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

My sister had RNY a year ago. I was very happy and supportive of her decision to have this done. She was 300 pounds and had been heavy her whole life. I think it is WONDERFUL. The transformation is amazing. I am not just talking the physical transformation but the emotional one as well. I long to feel better about myself.

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

I have not been approved yet. I was denied surgery and in the process of appealing the initial determination. My advice to anyone considering this surgery is to research your insurance policy. It is very important to know what your insurance requirements are. Call the insurance. Get the policy in writing. Then, follow what it says you have to do. This will avoid an unnecessarily lenghly process if you know what to expect. If you do meet the medical necessity requirements for your insurance, stay on them. Call them, get to know them, let them get to know you. Be persistent with the insurance. Don't worry about "bothering" them. This is their job. Make them work for you!!

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

My surgeon is wonderful! So, my first visit was very pleasant. When you meet with your physician, I think it is important to have prepared questions for him/her. I had researched the surgeries before going and had many questions for my doctor. This made my visit very productive.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I believe that seeing the success of my sister and niece pretty much decided this for me. I want to feel what they feel. I don't believe that this is an "easy way out" by any means. I know it is hard work. I just am tired of feeling and looking like this.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My BMI is only 35. I felt that the RNY was to drastic for me. I like that the Lap Band is adjustable, removable and not has invasive.

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 am not afraid of dying from this surgery. The Lap Band is the safest of the surgeries available. I am afraid that I will not lose the weight that I want to lose or even gaining weight back but I am not worried about dying. I think that I have more of a chance of dying if I continue to gain weight and be unhealthy.

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 is very supportive. I have had 3 family members have RNY within the last year. My sister in-law had Lap Band about a month ago. So, I have all kinds of support. Now, the people I work with are not as supportive. They have made comments that I am "not big enough" to do this. All I need to do is join Weight Watchers again and follow it this time. If I would just exercise, I wouldn't need this. I only want to have this done because I am jealous of my family members that are now smaller than me. I haven't had my surgery yet. I hope to make them eat every negative word after I have lost the weight, feel better and feel more confident.

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

I have not told my boss that I am going through the process of having surgery yet. When and if I get a date, I will let them know. I am sure they will be ok with my decision. I only plan on taking a week off work and that is my personal paid time off. So, they really shouldn't care.

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

I was in the hospital overnight. The nurses took very good care of me. Make sure you bring comfy clothes to go home in and where in the hospital such as sweats or shorts.

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

I didn't have any complications from the surgery. I did, however, have trouble with my right lung. I had to go to the ER the day after I got home from the hospital because I could not breath very well. I had a very sharp pain in my chest and back. I thought it was gas pain and kept walking and moving. I was so afraid I had a blood clot. I found out that there was a part of my lung that did not expand all the way. It was called "Atelectasis". It lasted for about 10 days and really was not pleasant.

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 got my surgery date and had the surgery about 10 days later. I really didn't have much time to freak out. I had my surgery the week of Thanksgiving. I was very busy. I just kept talking to my supportive family and they reassured me.

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

I went back to work 1 week after surgery. I had my surgery the week of Thanksgiving. That was a bit harder than I expected. I felt really good, other than the pain in my chest. I was just really excited to have had this done.

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

The hospital is about 2 miles from my house.

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 full liquid diet after surgery for about 10 days. I then progressed to pureed for a week and then regular foods. I have a hard time, still, with solid proteins (chicken, meat, pork). I also have trouble with bread. I still eat the solid proteins. I am just very careful by chewing well and waiting between bites. I have thrown up bread enough to know that I just can't tolerate it. I can live without it! Since I have the Lap Band, I have to follow the full liquid - pureed diet for 3 days after a fill, each time. I find that some days I can tolerate a food and the next day I can't. It is really a surprise to me. So, I just try to be mindful EVERYTIME. This helps me.

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

I was back to work 1 week after surgery. I was walking a HUGE outlet mall 2 weeks after surgery. I have a 3 year old and a 18 month old that I was playing with around the house.

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

Multi-vitamin, Protein powder

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 vomit when I eat too fast, when I don't chew well enough or when I try to drink too soon. Other than that, no problems at all! It is my fault when I get sick. :) I just have to be careful and chew chew chew. I am currently experiencing hair loss. I just cut my hair shorter and in a style to make it look thicker. It'll pass too!

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

It is frustrating for ME that the weight loss is slow. The lap band results in a slower loss. I am impatient!!

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

2 of my sisters, my niece and 2 friends have had WLS. I go to the support group that is offered by my physician but I also talk about my experiences all the time.

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

I have 5 scars. The scar where my port is located is the largest. It isn't bad at all. It is worth it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a plateau 2 months after surgery. It lasted for over a month. It was terrible.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Only my husband.