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

I found out about the surgery via t.v commercials.

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

My approval was time consuming and tedious. The process took a year for all of my ducks to line up in order.

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

My first meeting was informative yet with regards to the amount of information received, very overwhelming.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am tired of this fat fight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lap band

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?

No fears. I am killing myself with my extra weight now!

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?

Husband is supportive. Grown daughter is against. Have not told too many people.

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

Only told I was having surgery, not the type.

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

Yes but I felt over my head.