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

I saw it advertised on TV then I looked it up on the internet and then I asked my daughter who is a RN to check it out and then my daughter, my husband and I went to the Seminar

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

My insurance approval didn't take long at all and the Dr.'s office staff took care of the hard part.

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

Listen to the surgeon ask questions and do what they tell you exactly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My Health

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The Lap-band sounded less invasive.

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?

Do what they tell you exactly and try to loose as much as you can before surgery. Go to the support group. Ask questions?

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?

Everyone was very supportive before and after.

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 work outside of the home we are retired.

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

Just wear comfortable clothing and bring you insurance card and any letters you have from the insurance Co. about your surgery exceptance. I was in the hospital just a few hour.

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

NO

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 relieved that it was finally going to happen. I was nervous but not bad. I just kept very busy.

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

The first couple days you are tired and a little sore and after that you feel okay. The diet is hard but you can do it.

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

We were just 30 min. from the hosiptal about 25 miles.

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 followed and still do follow the book the dietician gave me on what to eat and what to not eat. each person is different I am sure. the liquid diet is the hardest for me.

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

The first month I was weak and just did some walking around the house.

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

I take the Multiple Vitamin/Mineral Chewable Calcium with Vitamin D and Magnesium chewable B-Comples Chewable

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 had any side effects

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

I don't have a worst part.

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

Lap-Band support group meetings Sometimes they are helpful. I think everyone should go to them as often as possible.

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

I have 5 small scars yes they are what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had a plateau yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

They just compliment me is all