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

I first heard of bariatric surgery through the media. I was immediately interested, although at the time, I didn't have the financial wherewithal to afford the surgery myself. My insurance plan does not pay for bariatric surgery.

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

I was unable to get approval, so I'm probably not a good source.

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

I met several people from the surgeon's office on my first visit. All were very helpful. I came armed with a list of questions that I had about the entire process. It's easy to forget your questions if you don't write them down in advance.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My high blood pressure. My cardiologist actually recommended that I have the surgery since I was on very high doses of blood pressure medicine at a relatively young age.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on the lap band because it is less drastic. I was worried about the long-term implications of the bypass. Also, I fit the profile of the type of eater who could benefit from the band.

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?

My biggest fear was anesthesia. I had never been under a general anesthetic before and it is impossible to predict how an individual will respond. The bulk of my questions for the doctor were related to anesthesia. My anesthetist had very extensive experience with WLS and the doctors were able to calm my fears.

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 told very few people that I was having the surgery pre-op. I didn't want to hear everyone else's opinion since I felt I had done my research and already made my decision. I've told a significant number of people after the surgery, and most of them have been extremely supportive.

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

I do not have an employer/supervisor.

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 for one night. I can't think of anything that I really needed as I was on a morphine drip and half asleep the entire time. The hospital stay on the whole was completely uneventful.

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 had some pain for the first week, then I felt run down for the first two months. My energy levels now, at 4 months post-op are higher than they've been in years. My only anxiety was related to the sustainability of the weight loss. I have now lost more weight than I ever had on previous diets with no sign of slow-down, so most of that anxiety has passed.

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

I seemed to tire more easily in the first weeks, but within 5 weeks of my surgery I flew to 17 hours to Taiwan on a business trip and had no significant problems.

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

I had my surgery locally.

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 was on liquids for a week, then soft foods for the next three weeks. After that, I began to introduce other foods into my diet. I've had no significant problems with being unable to eat a particular food, although after the second fill (at approximately 3 months) I can eat very little beef before I feel full. Foods that are off limits are of course sugar and liquid calories such as soup. I have never been a sweet eater, so that has not been a struggle for me.

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

I was active very quickly after the surgery...back at work in 5 days...excercising vigorously after about 2 weeks.

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

I take a daily multivitamin and 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 significant side effects.

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

The pre-surgical anxiety over the outcome.

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

I haven't found a local aftercare support group that I'm really pleased with at this point. So far I'm getting along without it.

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

My scar is about 2 inches long. I have 4 other scars, but you can barely see where they are. It's actually better than I expected. As I lose weight, the scar keeps getting smaller.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had no plateau experiences yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I'm certainly getting more attention from the opposite sex.