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

I started researching about 4 years ago, but didn't feel that the RNY was right for me, I felt it was to invasive. Thats when I discovered the lapband, and started researching it, and waiting for it to be FDA approved.

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

Dr. Snyder of Denver Bariatrics has a list that details everything you need to do prior to coming in for a consultation. This helps get all the background info pulled together prior to submitting. If you follow his steps, getting insurance approval is easy...it takes the insurance company forever, but they can't dispute the stacks of evidence.

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

Awesome. Dr. Snyder requires that you attend one of his seminars prior to surgery, I actually attended prior to my first appt. I had written a letter detailing the struggles I have had with my weight, and his comment was very positive and supportive.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to make sure that I was on this earth long enough to enjoy my family, and knew that my weight would contribute to serious health problems...even death if I kept going the way I was going

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched RNY, checking out all the post op support groups etc. I decided that it was way too invasive, and too risky. This is when I decided to have a lapband. it was the best decision I ever made.

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?

The RNY has many dangerous complications, the lapband was a much safer choice...either way, if I didnt do something, I probably wouldn't be around in the next 5-10 years

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?

I only told my immediate family, my husband and children were very supportive, and they understood that I was doing the procedure for my health, and for them. I didn't tell the rest of my family...once you tell, you can't take it back. I did tell only two very close friends. Not that I was embarrased or anything, I felt it was a personal choice, and if I did tell the world the hassles it would bring far outweighed just keeping it to myself. I do attend support groups and am a member of several support sites.

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

great...I went in on Friday and went home Sunday morning. Dr. Snyder makes sure you get up and walk immediately...its the best thing ever...and what enabled me to go home quickly and be self sufficient as quickly as possible. In my case the most important thing to bring? - running shoes!

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

No, not immediately afterward.

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

Actually I felt really good. I only took 1 full week off from work. I made sure to walk 20 minutes twice a day and that helped my recovery, and every day I felt stronger. The hardest thing was around the 4th week when I was still on liquids, I got really hungry...it was more of a craving to chew something then to really eat, and I found broth helped kick that craving.

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

With a lapband done laproscopically, I was sore, but as I increased my physical activity I felt better and stronger every day. The first two weeks were the toughest.

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

About 30 miles...I live just south of Denver, and the Hospital was on the north side of Denver.

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.

Dr. Snyder had the lapband patients on the same diet as the RNY patients. Clear liquids the first week, Liquids the next 2 weeks, then introduced soft pureed foods the next 3 weeks. We were allowed to go back to solids at 6 weeks. I drank a lot of protien shakes in the beginning as I couldn't tolerate food. After my first fill, i found that I was much tighter in the morning so I would have a shake in the morning, and then normal meals (3-4 oz) at lunch and dinner. The focus is always protiens first, and if you have room for veggies, then eat some. I eat pretty much what everyone else does, but much smaller portions...also the most important part 8-10 glasses of water a day, and never with a meal!

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

I walked a lot in the hospital, Dr Sndyer told me the nurses were complaining that I was wearing out the floor. I started with 15 minutes twice and day, and after a week, added 5 minutes, and so on. I try to walk 45 minutes twice a day now.

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

Chewable multi vitamin and mineral, and sublingual B-12

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?

About 8 weeks after surgery, I notice some hair loss, but it was never too bad. The biggest thing was learning how to chew slowly and thoroughly so food wouldn't get stuck...or the dreaded slime attack

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

waiting for the surgery date

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

There are bariatic and lapband surgery support groups organized by the Dr's office. This is extremely important so that you learn what you are experiencing is normal or not. I am also a member of several support groups on Yahoo

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

minimal...I have 6, most have almost disappeared, 1 is still pretty visible...small price to pay for healthiness

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had a couple, and in fact after a bout with female trouble over the summer I have gained about 25 pounds back. This is finally starting to come off again. I'm not worried because I have a tool that I can use to make the weight come off. I know if I didn't have it I probably would have gained 60+ lbs, not just the 25

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, I get more respect