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

I've looked into it in the past but did not want the gastric bypass because I did not want my insides rerouted but when I found out my insurance provider started covering the lap band I jumped on it.

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

So far I'm in the early stages. I'm awaiting approval from my insurance provider now. All I can say to others is to be patient and keep doing what you are doing now. Eat healthy and exercise.

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

When I first my surgeon one on one it was fairly quick and painless. He checked my weight congratulated me on my weight loss since starting the process and scheduled me for my surgery. I actually made it out worse in my mind that it really was.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally got tired of losing and gaining the same 20 lbs.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My feelings against gastric bypass are that I just don't want that sort of cutting of my intestines and the malabsorbtion is a major turn off for me. With the lap band it is adjustable so it can be adjusted to my needs.

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?

Of course I have fears. Who wouldn't? But my fears do not outweight the benefits of this surgery. My suggestion to others is whenever you have fears about the surgery just think of all the things you will be able to accomplish after you have the surgery and start losing weight.

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?

The friends and family that I have told are cautious of course but they also support me in my decision and can't wait to see a new me.

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

I have not told my supervisor about the type of surgery I'm having. She just knows that I'm having some sort of surgery. I'm actually changing jobs after my surgery so by the time I go back to work I'll have about 2 weeks of recovery under my belt.

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

My stay in the hospital was pleasant. The nurses were kind and attentive. Any problem you had they did their best to make it better. They encouraged me to walk and made sure I was comfortable.

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

I had no complications.

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 great after a few weeks. In the beginning I was sore of course but as time went on and I was becoming more and more mobile all the discomfort went away. I didn't really have any anxiety but there were times around the end of my liquid stage that I wondered why I done this but this was just because I wanted to eat.

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

My first few weeks were filled with the usual stuff. Taking care of my family and house. The kids, the dog, and I would go for walks twice a day. If I wanted to miss a walk my daughter wouldn't let me. I tried to stay busy so I wouldn't get lazy.

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

Travel time from my house to the hospital was about 15 minutes.

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.

Hamburger is a problem. It sits in my stoma like a rock. Everything else goes through fine. I've stayed away from sweets. My tolerance has really changed that much since having surgery. Although sometimes in the morning or in the evening I'm a little tighter than in the afternoon.

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

My energy level actually increased after surgery. I know it's because I had lost some weight and started exercising more.

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

For the first month I took a liquid multi-vitamin. Now I am taking a chewable multi-vitamin and fiber supplements. I also drink a protein shake to up my protein intake while I am weight lifting.

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 had no side effects from surgery.

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

The worst part for me is the waiting. I hate waiting for appointments when you know what you want and you want it now.

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

I go to Dr. McDevitt's bariatric support group. We meet every 4th Thursday of the month. I love this group because it gives me a chance to grip/groan with others who will truly understand what I am going through. It is also a great place to get tips on how to thrieve after WLS.

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

My scars are now starting to fade away. I know I will have a line where the port was placed but that's okay. It's a small price to pay for a lifetime of maintaining a healthier weight.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

So far I've had one plateau. It was nerve racking. I've worked so hard since my surgery and I know they will happen but I still want to see that scale go down every week. I console myself with the notion that at least it's not going up.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I'm not sure if people are treating me differently. I know I act differently. I feel more confident now than I ever did in the past.