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

my oldest sister had gastric bypass surgery 4years ago and and ever since she had it i wanted to something done,but she had alot of problems with her surgery,but she also didnt do as she was told after either,i think. so my sister and i finally decided go ahead this year and try to get approved to haved the lap-band .

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

we started in feb 06 .i had bc/bc seclect it would not cover any part of the lap-band --i am also covered under medacare. i had to show 6months of weight problems and that i had tried to loose weight under his care,i have been over weight since the brith of my children, and my doctor had sent me for the lap-band, so we were okay there also. all i can say is have your six months of weight program under doctor supervision first. stay strong,it will happen and it will be worth it. i started the process in feb 06 and had my surgery aug 06

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

my first visit with my doctor was very informative,dr david dyer was supportive ,gave us all the things we needed to knopw about the surgery, things to expect. peoplecan get most out of the meeting by just listining, there is always something new you will learn, you just have to open your ears . i went to a meeting with a girlfriend of mine that is wanting to have the surgery, and o found out things i didnt know.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i have 8 grandchildren and i want to play outside with them. i still think young, i want to play ball with them,run with them. i am tired of sitting on the couch and saying climb up on grandma"s lap and becareful of my neck or my back or what ever, and the weight loss my not help these things but please god let it ease up my pain.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

because of the problems of my oldest sisters gastric bypass ,i i chose the 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?

i had no fears, i put my faith in god and dr dyer and if i went in with any how could i have the surgery. look at long outcome my goodness. there helping giving us years back on our lives. the weight loss is so but thank goodness i had it.

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?

my husband is wonderful,he has never said anything about my weight. when i told him he said to do what made me happy. i come from a family of 8 only 1 brother and 6 sisters. i guess i should say we come from good stock.yes all some what healthy. my mother kept us kind of stock control but after she passed away it was like our weight moniter was gone to. so one had weight surgery already and a few of my sisters didnt like the idea of my sister and i having the surgery . my sisters husband didnt like it, her inlaws and family didnot like at all . but when it came to surgery time everyone was okay. we come from a small town ,and it was just fear of the unkown

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

i am not working but my sisters employers were great with her,and since we had ours theres others that will have the same surgery. she does alot of heavey liftting so she was out about four weeks.

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

the hospital was excellent,the rooms were clean, nurses wonderful grade a hospital stay 1 or 2 days tops we brought our gowns

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

none

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 wanted it to hurry and be here,

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

i was very sore, like what did i do . but as with any surgery it did pass.

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

we we to nashville about a 2hr drive it affect our after care some but we have to get our butts in gear. they have diffrent support groups, and they are for our us and we dont have to pay for them.

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.

well after you get jello, broth,crystal light, blended eggs. i am 3 months out lost 32lbs i eat 3 scrambled for breakfast,becase thats what i want for lunch i eat grilled chicken , green beans, and for dinner i eat usually turkey and a veg . these meals fill me up. you get a manual at these meetings before you deside to have surgery and it tells you about your foods. i eat alot of chicken, because i like it.

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

before my surgery i couldent hardly walk to the mail box since lb i can walk 2 to 3 miles a day.

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

i take a childrens one a day vit. and also i take calcium

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?

my sister nor i have had any of these

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

the worst part was getting trough all the red tape of insurance

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

i think the after care support group is very important. centennial center for the treatment of obesity is very plain about telling the people who have surgery ,

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

its a few small scars , yes it is was i expected. a scar means nothing if i can lose this weight.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

i am not that far out yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

just telling me good things