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

My neighbor across the street had a lap band, but did not tell anyone untill about 6 months, when I asked her how she was losing her weight. She told be about the lap band. All I can say is that I was very excited about this new discovery.

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

I did not have any problems with the insurance company. I am sure that having hypertension, sleep apnea, BMI of 55 and deterioating health must have convinced them.

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

I was somewhat leary of meeting my surgeon. I had started meeting people that had the lap band surgery and they all had used another surgen then who I was being refered too. I called his office and talk with his nurse and felt better. They were extremly friendly and there was an athmoshpere of wanting to help me. My surgeon was very experianced and had many of the bypass and lap band surgeries under his belt. He was very straightforward with me also, which was something that I liked.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health was getting worse, and my line of work was getting harder and harder to accomplish.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research on the different types of surgical procedures. I am afraid that I had a friend that had complications from a bypass surgery and died. I was not going to get a bypass. Since my surgery and as I have met other people that have had both types of surgery, my opinion has soften.

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 must admit that I was pretty brave upto the day of surgery. I never said or thought I am not going to go through with this. But I was nervous. I would tell other people about my experiances and that being concered or afraid was natural. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Call the doctor or surgical center, if you don't think something is right.

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 wife has been super. She of course she has supported my decision to have this surgurey (if a little push from time to time.)

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

My boss is great. He is has let me off for doctor visits, time off post-op. I took off three working days. I should have taken a week of vacation though, the first few days back at work, I was not worth anything.

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

Lap band - Day surgery - there about 8 hours.

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

No complications. Followed the surgeons and the staffs instructions to a tee.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

The first week I felt awful. I was getting very little liquids down, not because I could not, just did not feel like taking anything. I was sore of course, but quite taking any pain medication two days after surgery. I felt some anxiety, because of feeling so weak. My surgeon had a great support staff that I could call when I needed too.

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

The first few weeks are going to be slow. The most I could do was go to work and came home exhausted. I was sore and did not feel "normal" for about two weeks.

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

45 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.

Three weeks after sugery is liquid diet. Then two weeks of soft foods after that you start seeing what "hard" foods you can tolerate. I have stayed away from fried foods, soft drinks, high suger foods. The biggest change is remembering to eat slow, chew my food well before swallowing and not to get big helpings.

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

I was not to exercise for three weeks after surgery. At my three week check-up my doctor wanted me to get back to exercising. I was weary of this because I just did not have the energy. But I made myself do my exercise. I walk everyday. Once I got out and started walking again I was very pleased to find that I enjoy it.

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

I was taking Optifast chewable vitiamins. I have recently gone to Flintstone complete chewables.

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 not side effects

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

The not knowing, even as much talking to fellow lapbanders, research on the web, and questions to my doctor I still found out through the process that I did not know somethings. I had in my head that I would get the surgery and on Monday morning would be back to work as if nothing had happen. I did not give my surgery enough respect. It was a day surgery, but still a surgery.

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

I make all of my follow-up appointments. I see a nutritionist who has helped me with behavioral and dietary support. I have several lap band friends that are co-workers, neighbors and new friends that I have met through this process

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

Healing nicely, but still red. 3.5 months post-op

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have plateaued several times. I have been down this road several times. But this time it seems that I know that I will get through the plateaus and I must stay the course.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am getting alot of compliments. People are starting to call me skinny and make fun of my baggy pants.