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

I found out through an associate that I worked with. I was very curious as to learn more about the procedure.

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

It seem like an eternity to me... I had to go through so much red tape and being denied and appealing, I honestly thought this was wishful thinking. My advice is to have plenty of PATIENCE!!!

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

It went really well, Dr. Macik answer all my questions and concerns. His staff got me off to a good start.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Health issues and my family

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I chose lapband, because it was less evasive and seem like no down time at all.

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 really didn't have any fears...mainly nervousness...I looked at it like "why not" I have to do something. Dying didn't really cross my mine because my doctor never uttered the words to me. I honestly felt secure about the whole thing. Do what you feel is necessary for you to do. Only you know what's right for you.

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 family only said to me...are you sure you want to do this...donot do this for us. My family was very supportive of me.

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

My supervisor reacted with: you don't look that big why would you want to have surgery. And then proceeded to tell a horror story of someone they knew that had surgery and did not make it...(of course I did not want to hear this) I told my supervisor that this was the right thing for me and I wanted to have this procedure done. I was out of work for 3 1/2 weeks. (my choice)

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

I stayed at a really great and busy hospital Northside in Atlanta They took really great care of me. I was in the hospital overnight and release next day around 5 pm. comfortable clothes for wearing home.

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

No

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

Nervous, could not believe that it was actually going to happen. took alot of deep breaths and reassure myself as to why I was having this surgery.

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

The first few days I was very sore, alot of gas...make sure you walk as much as possible and take your pain meds. and drink plenty of water. It got better as the weeks went by...It will take a good two weeks to get back to normal... allow yourself time to rest and heal properly.

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

My doctor is in Atlanta Ga, the drive was approx. 1hr and 50 min. Aftercare: The doctor and hospital will advise you to go to the nearest emergency room if need to. but no problem getting to my aftercare appts.

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.

Before surgery NO Carbs, Weeks after, liquids, cream soups, sugarfree jello, broth, yogart sugarfree pudding. off limits: rice, red meats, anything with carbs now I can tolerate most everything.

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

Very little, you will over exhaust yourself quickly.

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

Flintstones chewables and Rolaids w/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?

No Problems, so far

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

PAIN, SORENESS, RECOVERY

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

Macon WLS support group once a month...very helpful everyone has experience what you have been through and they offer their support and any advice for you.

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

I have 1 3in. scar (port area) and 4 1in. scars basically on the left side of by stomach to the middle.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well, LapBand is a slow process in it self... I have had many plateaus...but they will tell you it takes time and you have to watch what you eat and plenty of walking and excerise.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, I do get alot of compliments on my weight loss. And some people that don't say anything at all.