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

Actually, my father suggested the surgery as a possible way of making me straight. (No, gays, this surgery does not "cure" you.) I was, of course, in no way looking to become straight, but I was looking to be more healthy.

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

It sucks. Point blank. The whole process makes you want to die. Ok, maybe I'm being a little over the top. I do remember the first time I was denied for surgery (a total of 3 times before learning to switch insurance companies). I almost got into a car accident because of my anger.

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

It was great. Dr. Schmidt was very encouraging and the first doctor I'd seen who actually suggested I consider the lap band. I am so grateful to him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was a battle for four years of my life to get it, there was no way I was backing out now. However, by the fourth year I was at the end of my rope. It was either surgery or suicide.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went to the seminar and saw the real differences between both kinds. Then I went home and thought it over and decided on the lap-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?

Surprisingly, I had no fear at all by the time my surgery date arrived. I was very excited and wanted to get the whole process over with as soon as possible. As for those with fears about the surgery, don't worry about it. This is a great decision and a huge step in the right and healthy direction.

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 friends and family were completely supportive of my decision. In fact, I had given up hope that I would ever get the surgery after being denied the first three times and my mom pushed me to work toward that again.

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

I was between jobs at the time and my current employer hasn't really noticed any change. Whatever the reason, I am not sure.

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

I was there for about 12 hours and it was quick and easy. The nurses were all great and very helpful. The only problem was they wouldn't let me walk to the car. The wait for a wheel chair big enough for me was eternal. I ended up walking.

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

Not that I know of. I was put out and warned that if they couldn't get the breathing tube down my throat, they'd have to wake me and do it while I was awake. The next time I woke up, they had finished the 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 accomplished but also nervous that it wouldn't work out again. I also felt like an incomplete person waiting for the rest of them. Almost as if my existence from my consult date until my surgery date didn't count or wasn't important (although I graduated from college during that time.)

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

I was starving for the first couple of weeks, especially the first week. I also had terrible neck pain for the first week and a half. Also, I made the mistake of drinking calorie free drinks during my liquid only diet week, which made me feel faint. (don't do that!!!)

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

I was lucky that the surgery was in the next town over and my hospital of choice.

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 never really paid much attention to what foods I could and could not week because it would change week by week. One week I'd feel terrible after having chicken and the next week I'd get the same feeling from steak. It was basically trial and error and it still is for the most part. The one food I still have issues with is bread, so I just avoid it.

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

I basically would walk in circles around the living room until I was back to eating solids.

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

I started out with flinstones vitamins. I had the taste of those so I tried vegetable extract. That tastes like mulch. Then I tried cherry flavored fruit and vegetable extract. That was horrible. I then switched to banana-flavored fruit and vegetable extract. I have stuck with that for about 6 months. The bottles are always 2-for-1 and last a very long time. (Up to a month)

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 not vomitted (yet) and have not experienced dumping as I got the band surgery. However, I do get nausea after eating quite often. Its actually a pretty rare occasion that I don't get it. Sometimes it hurts so bad it feels like the symptoms for a heart attack. Other times I just burp a little and it goes away. All-in-All its not terrible. It has made me fear food, but thats not such a bad thing.

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

Hands down, waiting to hear from the insurance.

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

I actually have yet to go to a support group meeting but I am very interested in looking into it. I do have a cousin (and now a sister-in-law) who have gotten the surgery so we all trade tips and stuff.

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

My scar is big and exactly what I expected. The large one is right in the center and completely visible. There are parts of it that look as if they've been erased. The smaller ones either look like pimples or have disappeared completely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have yet to plateau. Here's hoping I never do!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes and I immediately love it and find it disgusting later. I've found that a lot of people who used to ignore me are now paying full attention. I find this behavior completely superficial.