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

I saw it on TV.

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

I first checked with the HR Department at my office to see if my health plan covered this and found that it did.

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

I did not have any information before the first meeting and I think that this has it's good points and bad points. I was not sure if I could have the lap band surgery but this is what I wanted. You really need to work with your surgeon to decide which surgery is best for you. Once you agree on the right sugery for you, read everything that you can get your hands on so that you know what to expect along the way.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I could not keep the weight off on my own. I needed help in the worst way and I was so tired of my weight going up and down but never down far enough.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The lap band was an easier surgery and it could always be reversed if necessary.

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 didn't have any fears about the surgery. My fears were for after the surgery. Any of the surgeries are only a tool, you still have to put a lot effort into the outcome. You can always find a way around what you should and what you can eat.

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?

I did not tell my family until I was almost done with the pretesting that is needed before surgery (for me it was almost 6 months to get all the appointments taken care of). My friends and people that I work with knew that I was going through the testing. Once I told my family, they were very supportive. My family and friends have been the best through this whole process. I don't think that I could have done it without all of them.

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

In the beginning some were very supportive and others had their reservations but now they are all very supportive. I was only out of work for two weeks.

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

I was in the hospital just over 24 hours. The staff was wonderful from the time I checked in until I left. Someone suggested to me that I have a pillow to hold on my stomach for the ride one and it worked great. Sometimes the bumps in the road can cause you pain and the seatbelt presses on your stomach area.

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

I didn't have any complications with my surgery.

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 pretty good. It was drinking the protein drinks every waking hour that was a little tuff the first week and I did sleep a lot more. I didn't have any anxiety.

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

I was only home for two weeks and I could not drive at all until after I saw my surgeon at the end of the first week and the 2nd week he only wanted me to drive in my neighborhood and to stay off the highways because your reflexes are not as fast as they should be. I was fine when I went back to work (office work) even though I was tired for that first week by late afternoon.

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

I think it is about 6-7 miles from my home to the hospital in Providence, Rhode Island

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.

The first week was 3 oz. protein drinks and clear liquids only every waking hour. Then I went to protein drinks and regular liquids (V-8 juice, tomato soup, yougart) for one week. Then pureed to soft. The fourth week I started adding different items to see if I could get it down and digest it.

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

I used my exerices bike every day to ride two miles.

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

I take a multi-vitamin and 30 mg of prevacid every day

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 didn't have any big problems. I have had some vomiting once in a while but I think that is when I don't chew my food well enough or eat faster than I should.

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

For me, the worst part was drinking the protein drinks every hour for the first few weeks. I suggest people find the kind that they like before they have the surgery. I have not found a protein drink that is mixed with milk that I like. I prefer GNC's Isopure (40g protein - 0 carbs) that come in 20 oz bottles.

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

There is a monthly support group meeting at the Miriam Hospital where I had my surgery. The meetings are very helpful because you learn from people who have already had the surgery and you can help the people who are thinking about having the surery.

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

The scar is only about two inches long and by putting Mederma on it daily it is fading.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The weight loss has slowed down to about 1-2 every two weeks, but think that is to be expected. I don't get on the scale everyday anymore. I usually do it only once a week now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I can't say that the people who know me treat me any differently except that they have all noticed the weight loss and compliment me on how great I look.