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

A former supervisor that I worked with and had not seen in a couple of years had it done and I was shocked at how good she looked. She looked fabulous. When she first told me what she had done, I thought, good for her... but I don't think I'd ever do anything like that. I can lose this weight on my own.... and here I am 3 years later, still battling.

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

I investigated my insurance provider on-line to see if they covered the surgery, as well as calling the 800 number on my BC/BS card. They do cover it and from everything I've read here on OH, they are one of the easiest to get approval from. I do meet all the criteria for surgery, although I still am waiting to be approved after I get through all my pre-testing. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

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

He was very nice, very understanding and informative. Be sure to discuss all options to decide which surgery is best for you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

A year of on-line research and reading other patient stories of inspiration.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Discussed with my surgeon.

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 have no fears. I have faith that this is the answer for me and that it WILL work.

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 husband is very supportive as he too is having the Lap-Band done. My son was/is a little apprehensive about it, though he respects my decision. I haven't told anyone else, because I don't want to hear any opinions. I'm doing this for ME.

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

I am self-employed.

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

N/A, still awaiting my surgery date.

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

N/A

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

N/A

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

N/A

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

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.

N/A

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

N/A

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

N/A

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?

N/A

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

N/A

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

N/A

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

N/A

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

N/A

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

N/A