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

I am in the medical field and knew of the bariatric program. I knew the surgeon because I went to school with his wife. The program was only a few years old but I saw some of the patients and they had a good success rate.

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

Report any symptoms related to your weight. Be checked for Sleep Apnea. Document all attempts to loose weight. Ask you doctor or cardiologist to write letters explaining how the weight has contributed to your health problems. Keep a positive attitude and be patient.

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

My first meeting with the surgeon involved a BMI measurements and body fat and weight measurements. He explained the device (lap band) let me hold it and explained what I could expect before and after surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I initially went to the first information meeting with my spouse who is obese also. I thought I would get it done and so would he and we would be healthier for it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew I didn't want gastric bypass. The lifelong B12 and vitamin deficencies were not acceptable to me. The Lap band seemed like a better option since it didn't involve "making a new stomach pouch and disconnecting my stomach". It has a good safety profile.

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?

Any surgery has it's risks. But as a friend of mine put it "you can die from the diseases related to your obesity and not enjoy a full life, or you can die later having enjoyed a full life". I feel the risks were small and the gain as far as benefits were huge.

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 (Mom, sisters, aunt) were against the surgery. They felt I could loose the weight on my own as I did in the past (only they didn't realize that I needed to loose 130 lbs). My husband and kids were like "do what you need to do Mom". My immediate family is somewhat supportive but there are issues.

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 very flexible about allowing me to go to the monthly morning meetings for the pre surgery program. They gave me the time off for the surgery. I was out of work 8 days. I was up and walking around the day of my surgery which was on a Wednesday. On the following Saturday I was out shopping.

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

I had severe nausea from the pain medicines they were giving me and once they switched to Toradol from Morphine and Percocet I was fine. The most important thing to bring is your own pillow, you'll sleep better. I also bring ear plugs so I'm not disturbed by noise of bells and alarms.

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

I've had no complications.

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 relieved that it was finally going to be over. This battle I've been raging all my life was finally given an answer. I had a little anxiety going into the surgery but I was fine with it.

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

You need to cut your portion before surgery by 2/3 and expect that that is about all your going to eat each meal. It's very important to get the protein in since your eating less.

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

The hospital is an hour from my home. It is difficult at times to arrange office visits since I need to take off half a day to go.

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 could eat dry chicken, dry tuna, certain breads. I am almost 2 months out and I can eat just about anything if I chew it throughly and slowly. I definitely know when I'm eating too much too fast cause I get pain and feel the food getting stuck.

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

I went back to swimming within a week following surgery. I am currently swimming 60 laps of the pool in 30 minutes 4 times a week.

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

Daily mulitvitamin with a calcium supplement.

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 had no side effects but am diligent about getting my protein in.

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

I would say the worst part was the down time and not being able to swim. I had started swimming six months before the surgery and was use to going 4 times a week.

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

I don't attend group support meetings because they are an hour away. I would love to start a group support in our area and I am a healthcare provider.

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

I have 1/2 inch lines on three parts of my abdomen. They go beautifully with the stretch marks. I really don't care, I'm healthier.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been loosing 1-2 lbs per week. I haven't hit a plateau yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I think I treat myself differently. I am more confident and excited about the changes in my body. I like shopping for new clothes. My husband is more physical with me.