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

I first found out about bariatric surgery when my cousin had the gastric bypass I wanted to do it but so many people was dieing from it I was to scared then when I found out about Dr. Eibes and the Lap Band I wanted to do it more then anything in the world.

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

It took me a year to get mine approved. My husbands old job his ins. was a fly by night ins. then when he started his new job his new ins. approved it in only 3weeks. I want to let anyone who is in this stage don't loose faith it will happen it may take awhile but it will happen. Start seeing your family Dr. first to loose weight because most ins's want you to do that for at least 6months, so start now and get it over with it will help.

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

I went home that same day I had my Lap Band. Everyone was real nice and caring. The most importen stuff to take with you is ins. cards, list of all meds, and let them know all health related info.

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

The only problem I had was my staples started to get infected but that was 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?

After I got my surgery date I was so excited I didn't know which end was up. Then day before surgery I got a little nurves but that went away once I got there.

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

Things went pritty good I was really tired alot but its a huge change to your body. I wasn't to crazy about the full liquid diet or the puree when my family is eating all the foods I love but its worth it.

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

It took us 40 minutes to get to the hospital but it didn't affect my aftercare at all.

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.

Was not able to eat hamburgers, spagetti, bread, my diet pop. I love most of the bad foods and was not able to eat them. I make cakes and sell them and im not able to have any of that or any candy's that I liked.

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

At first I was limited then my energy was up and I was feeling alot better.

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

Flinstones complete and Citracal calcium citrate, and protien drinks.

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 think I have been pritty lucky and I haven't had any problems with nausea, vomiting, sleep, or dumping, I have had a little hair loss but not to bad.

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

The worst part of the bariatric surgery process was the wait on getting it done. I want my life back and I want to be active and healthy again.

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

Dr Eibes has a support group that meets every first saturday of the month. I have only went once and that was before surgery im going to start going now that surgery is over. It makes a huge differnce to go to meetings you learn alot from others.

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

My scars are a little bigger then I thought they would be but im not complaining it was well worth it to started living my life again.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't had a plateau yet im only 2weeks post op but if I do I will let you know.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I notice people treating me different. They tell me how good im looking and my family is so proud of me and that makes me feel like im on top of the world.