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

My best friend had bariatric surgery 3 1/2 years before me. She is the strongest person I know and would go to her for advice.

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

I don't have any problems with setting up my surgery with my insurance. My advice to people is to think long and hard before you decide to do any kind of surgery as we all know surgery can be very risky.

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

He was very open with me about that was going to happen the day of my surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have watched my parents take all kinds of med's and I swear to my self I would not ever do that.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I talk to my doctor and we decided that the LapBand would be better for me.

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?

The only risk that I worried about was my band not working out for me.

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?

Some of my friends and family reacted just the way I thought they would. True friends are there for you no matter what.

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

They didn't really react at all.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

It was weird but very inlighting.

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

It was ok I was just really glad to be able to go home the next afternoon. Not to keen on hospital's.

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

I had no complications the day I had surgery guess all my complications started when I was healing. My port did not set the right way. Two out of the Four hooks did not set.So my port is on its side. The doctor can still get to it but if it tips any more he will have to go back in and fix it.

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 weeks after I got my surgery date set I really didn't let it get to me because if I had done that I may a chickened out. So I really tried not to let it get to me.

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

The first couple of weeks was weird because I could not eat the things I really want'ed to. But that was my choice in having the surgery. I am glad that I did it.

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

It was probably about 11 miles took about 15 min.

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.

The first week I could only have clear stuff after that I was able to start with other foods like pudding and yogurt. The only food I have a problem with Hamburger's sometime's chicken but mostly hamburger.

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

It bugged my not to be able to go snowboarding.

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

I take Iron and Vitamin C 3 times a 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?

Again the only time I get sick and start to vomit is when I eat hamburger.

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

That would be the vomiting when I eat hambuger.