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

I was very excited when I heard about the lap band surgery.

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

I was very disappointed because my insurance company did not approve it. I would advise others to make sure their insurance approves before moving ahead, unless you can get the money for self pay.

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

9-15-03 I was very excited, but found out that Kaiser would not pay for it, so I waited until January 2004 because I changed the insurance from Aetna, but they wouldn't pay most of it so I was a self pay.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I saw a documentary on TV about this surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

January 2003. I selected the Adjustable Lap Band surgery.

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?

Think positive and continue to pray!

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?

Very nervous. Really didn't want me to do it, but supported me thru the process.

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

Very happy for me.

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

I had outpatient surgery. My surgery was at 8:30 a.m., the surgery was an hour, and I was in recovery for an hour. I was back home by 12:00 p.m.

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

None whatsoever!

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 was very excited. I really didn't have anxiety or any problems. On the day of surgery, I practically ran and jumped on the table.

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

I was a little sore the first 3 days, but the medication kept the soreness away. I had to get up and walk around and up and down the steps after I slept off the medication from the surgery.

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

I live in Maryland and my surgery was in Virginia. It takes about 25 minutes to get there.

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.

During the first 3 days I had to drink clear liquids and them moved to soft pureed foods from week two to week four.

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

I had to walk up and down the steps and walk as much as I can around the house and outside.

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

Women's one a day vitamins.

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 have had no side effects.

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

I didn't have it done sooner!

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

The Northern Virginia support group. Somewhat helpful, but most of the patients are Bypass patients.

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

Several very small marks and 1 mark about 1 inch long. It is what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None so far, but I know they are coming.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I sure do notice how much nicer people are to me and wanting to talk to me more.