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

Seeing a commercial on t.v.

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

My insurance first declined the surgery. My husband called and spoke with someone and really was honest about how I felt. They must have thought it was heartfelt because we got a letter of approval 3 days later.

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

It was long. Lots of testing and checking. Meeting with a dietician and physical trainer. Lots of information to take in.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I needed to, I felt, to improve the quality of my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lap-band has less side effects.

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?

I didn't fear dying from the procedure. I felt total confidence.

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?

Very, very supportive.

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

I only was off 1 week. I didn't tell my supervisor.

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

From 5:30am til 8:00pm. I always get very dizzy from the anesthesia, so I dealt with that. Other than that, no particular problems. I wouldn't recommend bringing anything except the spirometer and your heparin and anything else your doctor tells you you'll need.

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

Nope.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Just some mild left side abd. pain. Moving was a bit of a problem the first 4-5 days and I slept sitting up on the couch. But, nothing I couldn't deal with.

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

I just started week 3 and once you are able to have more things, it is hard to forget how to leave the "bad" foods alone and focus on new habits. Lots of positive thinking, find some hobbies to prevent boredom.

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

30 minutes, no effect.

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.

Just learning. No problems yet.

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

The activity level increased each day. I am still having some fatigue, but it gets better.

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

Multivitamin

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?

None.

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

Getting insurance approval.

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

Joining a group of people having the same surgery and support from my friends and family.

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

5 small scars. I have a c-section scar, so this doesn't really bother me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Is still too early to tell.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Too early to tell.