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

A nurse practioner I worked with had it done.

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

The wait was the only struggle I had. My insurance process was not complicated.

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

The firt visit was a group visit. He discussed all of the ins and outs of the surgery. He was energetic and positive.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had 3 back surgeries and multiple problems. I needed to do this for myself.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted to be nutrionally stable with hopes of a child in the future. The lap band allowed me to stay nutritionally stable.

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 had no fears. I have had so many surgeries before.

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 was supportive from the beginning.

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 supportive. Some of the people I worked with tried to talk me out of it but I did not let them!

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

I stayed over night. It was not bad at all!

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

No complications at all!

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 felt a loss for the friend I had had for so long. I no longer could eat and eat and eat like i used to. I did a lot of journaling about my feelings.

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

It was a struggle for me. I wanted to eat but could not. It was also a new beginning for me and I wanted to focus on that.

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

I traveled 200 miles. I recieved my aftercare about 45 minutes away from here.

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.

I have not been abe to eat bread at all. It seems to stick in the band of something and I get sick. I can only eat a couple bites of pasta too. Same thing happens if I eat too much. I also have to eat slowly or I get sick. I wait 5 or so minutes between bites.

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

I walked as soon as I could after surgery. I was sore for about 2 weeks but not bad.

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

I take chewable childrens vitamins now.

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?

The anxiety about not being able to eat was the worst. It went away after about 6 weeks though.

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

The waiting for insurance, waiting to get a date. Hurry up and WAIT!

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

I attend the local support group here in North Platte. I try to go monthly.

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

They are small. I don't mind them at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

If I do not exercise, I do not lose. I went about 3 weeks without exercising and my weight showed it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People compliment me frequently. Some people just stare.