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

I first found out about bariatric surgery a few years ago, one of my classmates had it done and she'd lost a substantial amount of weight. At that time I didn't consider myself a candidate so I didn't look into it much. Last year, I met a coworker who had had it done and was reintroduced to the idea. By this time I was at my highest weight ever and I decided to do some research. I read everything I could find on every kind of bariatric surgery before I chose Lap Band and started the process.

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

My surgeon and his office were extremely helpful and knowledgeable with the insurance approval process. They walked me through everything I needed to do to get approval step by step so I was very lucky. My suggestion would be to look for a surgeon who does this sort of thing for their patients. It made everything go so smoothly.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was like a whirlwind. As I said earlier, I had done a ton of research before choosing both my surgery and my surgeon so there wasn't much to discuss for me. He weighed me and took my vitals, was able to answer any questions that I had fully. He showed me what the Lap Band looked like and how it would be placed. After the visit the secretary gave me scripts for my first few tests and I was on my way!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I didn't want to end up with the same weight related health issues as many of my family members. I am 30 now and in surprisingly good health but many of my female relatives who have struggled with their weight all their lives have ended up going downhill in adulthood and I don't want that to be me. I want a better quality of life and I also hope to stop the overweight cycle so it doesn't affect my own daughters as they grow up.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

RESEARCH!! Lots and lots of research. Ultimately I chose Lap Band because I wanted my weight loss to be work. I know that the other forms of surgery require a great deal of work as well but for me, this was the least anatomy changing and required the most will power of them all. I still wanted it to be me losing the weight.

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?

My fears from complications or death were minimal with the surgery I chose. My surgeon has an outstanding success rate and I felt comfortable with him, I think that was very important. Also, I looked at it like this: If I didn't do something to change my way of life now, I'm going to die just from how I'm living now. Maybe it'll take a little longer, but it was going to happen. For me it was worth the risk involved.

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 friends and family were apprehensive but supportive. They didn't try to talk me out of it but they didn't cheer me on either. After surgery they asked lots of questions, which was a good thing because it meant they were trying to understand what I was going through.

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

My supervisor was very supportive of my decision. She worked with me on my schedule so that I could attend the various meetings and appointments I needed for insurance approval and she gave me the time off that I needed to recover after surgery. I took 10 days off after surgery. I felt like I could have come back to work sooner but in hindsight I'm glad I didn't.

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

It was comforting to see all the other people in the room who have the same weight issues that I do, and at so many different phases of their journey. It made me feel like I wasn't alone. The information I received was invaluable and I was certainly glad I had come.

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 one night. The surgery was on a Monday morning and my surgeon was there to wake me up bright and early and send me home on Tuesday morning. Most important things to bring are comfortable pajamas and slippers. I didn't care how I looked or what was on tv.

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

No complications thank goodness.

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 felt normal after surgery. This was not how I expected to feel. As the wounds healed and the initial discomfort of surgery faded I began to feel exactly the way I did before surgery, which was a stressor for me! What if I could still eat the way I did before surgery, it would have all been for nothing! By the time I saw my surgeon for the post op visit I was a wreck. He assured me that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing and that I was losing weight already and just stick to the rules and I would do fine... He was right

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

The day after I got home from the hospital was actually the worst. I was stupid and was trying to do housework and take care of my two daughters even though I had help and I was in so much pain it was ridiculous- and my own fault! Take it easy. Don't try to do much of anything until you feel ok to do so .

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

I traveled 30 minutes to have my surgery and my surgeon's office is an hour from my home.