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

My family Dr. told me about the lap-band surgery. so I decided that I wanted to learn more about it, and with my husband and a good friend we went to a seminar and was given some good information. That was in Sept. of 04

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

I can't complain about my insurance approval. They were great and very fast to act on it, and the dr. office said I was the first to be aproved so quick. I submited it in Oct. and had my approval by the first of Dec.

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

My surgeon was the Dr. that gave the seminar so I felt very comfortable with him. He's the type of Dr. that gave you his time, and compassion on how you were feeling, and answered every question I needed to know. I owe this Man my NEW life.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My family Dr. told me that I would end up in a wheel chair before my time, if I didn't do something soon. After my brother's death I went into a deep depression because not only losing one brother I had lost another one when I was nine yrs. old and also a pair of twin sisters. So my brother meant the world to me. We would see each other every week and talk at least once a week.So after his death I had reach my highest weight 295. And wanting to see my nine grandchildren grow up and Not be the Grandma that just sat in a chair. Thats when I decided to get this done.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Knowing that I needed to do something soon. and found out that this was one of the least invasive proceedure. I new this one was for me.

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 of dying from the surgery because I felt this surgery was for me. As for Complications I've had so many other surgerys I kinda knew what to expect.

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?

When the Dr. told me about being in a wheel chair before my time. My husband was in the next room so when he was finish. I had him come in and listen to what the Dr. had told me. So he wasn't really happy about it. And of course my parents were totally against it.after burying four children already. I knew It would take some time to conficence them. But they finally came around. My husband kids and friends stood behinded be 100%.

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

I had been working for Social Sevice as a care giver for the last 15 yrs. And where I work I enjoyed my client very much. But as she got older and heavyer The less I could do for her. So I decided to stop working and start working on me. And they were very supportive of me leaving them.

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

The hospital stay was good, Doctors and Nurses were great My surgery didn't take long to do. Then they put me unto intensive care for 5hrs.Because my BMI level was over 50. Then moved to a private room. Spent the Night and went home by noon the next day. So it was good on me.

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

No, If I didn't see the staples I would never guess I had it done. I was sore alittle, but it was better than having c-sections.

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 ready to get this done! The only thing I worried about was what my parnets were going though. The thought of losing another and Only child left.

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

The first few weeks were hard, because they took the feeling of being hungery away. But It was still stuck in my mind I was hungery but with help of family and friends I got along good

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

I traveled about 2hrs for my surgery, Which is some distance, But I didn't need to go every week. But the aftercare was the same distance and was once a week and that was to much with the price of gas these days. So I go to a local Hospital 20 miles away with some friends and weigh everyweek They call it the learn program. It help me to stay on track.

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 sad part about eating was I could eat anything I wanted. I got along with everything which scared me to death. I thought that I would end up failing at this to. But the weight came off nice and easy.

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

Up till then my actvity level was going to and from the bathroom. doing what I needed to get done and If it didn't that was ok too. But after surgery I started walking quarter of a mile up to 6 months after surgery to 4-6 miles. and playing kick soccer with my grandchildren.

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

I take Flinstones once a 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?

the only miner problem I could fine was a little bit of hair loss, But as far as being sick I was never nausia or even vomited. As far as sleeping I'm still on my c-pap machine.

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

being on the liquided part of the diet.

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

The aftercare support group was to far to travel so I decided to go to our local hospital where they have a learn program on how to lose weight

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

Minor compared to the other scars if have.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm in my sixth month I have had a few plateau where with years of dieting I would come to a stand still then finally it would let go. But there were times when it came off fast.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, my family really helps me alot.they will go walking with me. and Help me finded healther foods to eat. But people are noticeing I'm losing weight.