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

I have heard of the bypass ofr many years and it was never an option to me, partly because I didn't think I was "that fat". Partly because of all of the risks involved with it. My mother mentioned a friend of hers who had some kind of weight loss surgery and that she looked so good now. Just a few days prior to that, someone else had mentioned weight loss surgery. So, I thought, just for the fun of it, I'd look up some information on the internet about it. That's when I found the Lap Band. I was ecstatic when I read how it worked and I immediately joine some Bandster groups and knew quickly that I wanted to explore it, and at least go through the process to see if I would qualify for it. I've had some vague health issues, so just getting things all checked out made sense too, even if I didn't qualify for the surgery.

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

The first time through my pre-authorization was denied. I appealed and it was approved. The best advice I have to give is to get every medical records you can get from all the doctors you've ever been to in your life. Get them now, just to have on hand, if I had not done this my claim would have been delayed a long time. The next thing to do is get letters from every doctor or medical person involved in the process. You never know which letter is going to be the one that tips the scales. I sent a 25 page fax in to my insurance company, plus 3 letters from: my surgeon, my Sleep Doctor, and my primary care physician. I thought my Surgeon's letter was really going to be the powerhouse. It turned out that my Sleep doctor's letter is the one that did the trick. Don't be afraid to keep on calling doctors and medical records people until you get what you need. They are busy, and will keep putting off whatever "seems" least important. So, you need to let them know that your request IS important. Remember, this surgery has to be shown to be MEDICALLY NECESSARY. That means, there are no other choices to handle your health issues. So, just having, let's say, sleep apnea, is not enough to authorize surgery. You need to demonstrate that you have no viable alternatives to handle your sleep apnea. In my case, I had already tried many different masks, chin straps and so on, and still have not found a good fit for a CPAP Mask. My sleep apnea is considered moderately severe. This puts the insurance company in a nasty place, if I die in my sleep, and I have asked for surgery to help me, they could be in a real mess. My Sleep doctor wrote all of this in his letter and added that weight loose would be a big help to my condition. Then they look at my weight loss history and can easily see that I have tried everything under the sun and have not succeeded, so weight loss surgery becomes "Medically Necessary". Finally, remember that 1. Your request is most important to you, so you have the most invested in the final answer. 2. Your insurance company can only make a decision based on what is in paper. You, and all of your doctors may know that you NEED this surgery, but unless the requirements can be clearly met, on paper, nothing else matters.

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

I thought I would only be in the hospital for surgery and go home that night, that was not true for me. My surgery was late afternoon. They scheduled the highest BMI's first, mine was probably the lowest. I ended up staying one night and a larger part of the next day. What to bring: Something to read, lots of waiting around before surgery, possibly. Lip balm for dry lips before and after surgery. Nausea medication: I had some meds in my IV, but when that was removed and I started working on drinking water and other liquids I got a bit sick. Since I already had my own medicine, they just mashed it for me and I drank it with some water. If I hadn't had it, it probably would have taken them too long to get it and bring it to me, by then I would have been sick. Get post op pain meds filled before surgery, I was planning on getting these filled on the way home, but I was discharged in the late evening, so nothing was open. Luckily had some left over pain meds to get me through till I could get it filled. Pillow, or belly belt: You can find these belly belts in the fitness department of stores like GI Joe's. They are for adding support to your back and abdominal muscles. They are very comfortable and can help hold your tummy which can help the jiggling that happens when riding in the car. A pillow works well, and maybe better right after surgery, the belt may not work well right after surgery, but really helps once the stitches get healed a bit.

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

I have had one nagging issue, that is a strange painful muscle in my abdomen that is nowhere near the surgery site. It is getting better, but I'm two months out, and still have to wear a support belt when I stand or walk very much at all.

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 many emotions during those few weeks. I wondered if I had made the right decision, I was afraid something would happen and surgery wouldn't happen. Mostly I just wanted it to be done. I coped by talking about on my e-mail lists a little bit. My husband and family are very supportive and that really helped. I just kept telling myself, that some day this would all be a vague memory.

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

I was in more pain than I was expecting. Though it really only lasted about a week. I got nervous when I felt hungry right after surgery, I thought I wouldn't feel hungry at all for awhile. Yet, the liquid diet was not bad, for me, at all. It went by quickly and I enjoyed getting to drink lots of things I don't normally drink because I have been trying to make every calorie count. All in all, recovery was easier than I thought once the pain subsided.

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

I have my e-mail support group, and a local group that meets about once a month. Support is absolutely vital to this process. The learning curve is pretty steep once you start getting some restriction. Since I have so much information and the experiences of others, I have had a much less frustrating experience.

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

I'm two months out and my scars look like cat scratches, not bad at all. I suspect they will be pretty much invisible by this time next year.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm still waiting to see strong weight loss. I have had two fills, and I'm not quite ten pounds down yet. Most of that I lost during the liquid phase. I'm hoping this will change with my next fill.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, not yet. Lots of people are curious, and I'm quite open about the surgery with those close to me. I haven't lost enough weight yet for anyone to notice.