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

My father told me about the procedure and so did a friend at work ( His wife had the surgery too )

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

I was turned down the first time, until we realized we had innacurate information, and then I was approved. I would reccomend taking your time with information, make sure you have all your ducks in order. Before proceding. Do your homework on the costs.

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

I was really lucky, My surgeon was extreamly informative. But, I would come into any situation with questions prepared.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to live. I was headed in the same direction as my father ( he's a type 2 diabetic ) I'd been battleing my weight since puberty.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the least invasive surgery and was told the lap-band was the one to go with.

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 really didn't have any. I would tell people that they need to be really informed before deciding to make a big change in their lives.

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?

For the most part I've gotten nothing but my familes full support ( it's important to have that ) Family does have to realize that you can still eat ( just not in the same way you did before )

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

I didn't tell them, I didn't really think it was their bussiness to know, I had upcoming time off. I used 3 days of work, the other days were Sat and Sun. But I was home by Sat.

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 for 5 hours, and then I was released.

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

None

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 really tried not to stress, because I had so emotions going on. I did alot of journaling that helped alot.

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

The first few weeks were difficult in that I had to get used to not eating as much. The mushy stage was not fun, I won't sugar-coat that. It was hard. Liquids wern't that hard. Now, I'm used to the way this things are.

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

Not far at all, I'm lucky my hospital is 10 min. away.

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 couldn't eat fatty food like hambergers, that was hard at first. Now, I buy the leanest cut of meat that I can. High fat foods make me sick. I try to remember that feeling, when I want to eat something that I shouldn't.

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

I went back to excersizing, and have continued since.

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

I take a chewable vitimins ( Centerum) I have to thank those people some 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?

I was actually ok, until the drugs they gave me wore-off. The next few days, I was in alot of pain. I did alot of sleeping the first few days. My parents took care of me, and made sure I got my medication every 4 hours.

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

The insurance process was the worst. I gave them everything they wanted and felt like I had to jump through hoops for them.

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

I go once a month to a meeting for "Lap-band users" It helps to meet with other people who are going through the same things you are.

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

Barley noticeable unless your looking. It's not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I'm not complaining. Those are my weightloss war wounds.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Ah, the dreaded plateau, it's hard to go through, but everyone goes through them. You just deal with it, and not let it get you down.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yea, men are really treating me differently. Like I became a new human being, with a new body. It's a little overwellming at times. I'm not used to this much attention.