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

About five years ago, I started to do research about bariatric surgery. I was concered with having my insides surgically manipulated. So when the lap band came out, I knew it was for me.

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

Don't give up. I struggled for 5 years. This last attempt was meant to be. It only took me 2 months from my visit to the seminar to my surgery. It can be done and if I can do it you can too.

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

My first visit was great. Having been through the intial visit many times, I knew Dr. Hendrick was for me when I met him at the seminar. Have all your questions ready (write them down so you don't forget). Since I had been through this process so many times, I really didn't have that many questions but I can tell you that he will spend any amount of time with you with any questions you need answered.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was done being the "fat" mom!!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My husband and I decided together that I didn't want to have my insides surgically altered. With that in mind, I went for the lap-band and have been sooooo happy.

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?

With any surgery, you have fears but I knew that if I didn't do this for myself, I was going to die. So I took that big step off the clif and haven't looked back in the last 8 weeks.

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?

Most of my family was supportive. I have a very supportive husband and a drill seargent 5 year old daughter (Mommy are you allowed to eat that, Mommy are you allowed to lift that etc.). I couldn't have made it so far without my family and close friends. I have actually had more difficulties with the people I work with. However, it is my life and I knew that I had to do this for ME.

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

My employer was not happy with me when I told them I had to take some time off for surgery. I only told a couple of people pre-surgery because I was leary of how people would react. Now that I am post-op, if you ask, I will tell you. I am happy again. I was out of work for 7 weeks.

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 wasn't that bad. I was pretty groggy the first day. The gas from the laproscopic procedure actually hurt me worse than the surgery (while I was in the hospital). Noone told me that the gas would escape through my neck and shoulders so I thought they had done jumping jacks or something with me during surgery. After I figured out why my neck and shoulders were hurting so bad, I could deal with the pain. The pain meds. that Dr. Hendrick perscribed were ok. I was up and walking the same day. I was in the hospital for 1 night.

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

No real complications. I did have pain from the laproscopic gas. It took about a week for me to get all the gas out of my body. Additionally, I had pain with the port (lap band). Dr. Hendrick told me that it takes time for that area to heal because the port is placed in the muscle. He was right, its been 2 months and I am getting better by the day.

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 was so excited. I had been trying to get this surgery for about 5 years. Once I got my date, I finally felt like I was on my way:o)

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

Expect to be upset and angry. We are all addicted to food. I never realized how much I loved food until I wasn't allowed to eat the stuff that my brain desperately wanted. I actually wondered why did I do this the first few days. I felt if I could eat, I might as well just be fat. It took me a few weeks to overcome my issues. Once I started to eat mush foods, I felt so much better and was well on my way to a healthier life. I thank God that I didn't give up and that I have a supporting husband and daughter.

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

My surgeon is only about 5-8 miles from my house. So after care was not a big issue. I have more troubles now that I am back to work full-time. I work 40 miles from the doctor's office so I end up taking vacation time for my appointments but its a small price to pay for living again.

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.

After my lap-band surgery, I find that I can no longer eat bread. I can eat tortilla's but nothing past that. I tried to eat a pita and it doesn't like to go down real well. I also can not eat rice. Don't know why but it helps to know that I can not eat these things cause my body doesn' t like them verses me trying to stay away from them.

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

Every day, my activity level gets a little bit better. I used to come home from work and HAVE to take a nap. I can say, that I don't have to do that anymore. My daughter used to beg me not to sleep and I felt so bad but I was exhausted. We are in a much happier place. I can't wait for more weight to come off so we can do so much more.

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

I have been taken protein supplements as well as calcium, iron and a multi-vitamin. I do not drink milk so if you are like me, don't let that deter you. I have found ways to make it work and you can too.

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 have been really really lucky. I have had gas both areas (if you know what I mean) but nothing that was to awful.

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

For me, the worst part was the liquid diet before and 2 weeks after my surgery. I was miserable. I realized it was for a greater good but I was angry that my family was eating the foods that I soooo loved and could no longer eat. My surgeon told me to get over it at week 2 post op appointment. I knew I had to listen to him or I was not going to beat this battle.

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

Extremely important. I couldn't of made it without my family and close friends to keep pushing and giving me the support I need to make it through this journey.

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

My scar isn't that bad. I had laproscopic surgery so I have five small 1/2" marks. I also have a 2" incision where Dr. Hendrick put the port for my lap band.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

No plateau's yet. Still losing not losing like I would like but patience is the virture right?????

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are looking at me a little differently now but nothing drastic at this point in my journey.