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

I first heard of Lap-Band in a magazine a few years ago. It sounded good to me because I didn't want my guts re-wired!

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

My insurance was great & approved me within 36 hours of getting the request!

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

Informative. Have a list of questions before you go & get informed by reading as much about your surgery on-line as you can. Be prepared!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My child (then 2) said "Mommy, you've got a big belly". That was the straw!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was not intersted in having my guts cut!

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 had no fears about complications or dying. Don't know why, but I wasn't going to mess around with negativity.

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?

They were concerned that I would do something so 'drastic'. Which I find ironic because they had no information on the surgery itself and being obese was much more 'drastic' to my body. I doubt I would have done anything different - I'm a pretty straight shooter. If they don't like it - that's their issue, not mine. Afterwards they have all come around & have been really supportive (now that I've shown them that I was right!) :)

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

She didn't say much - I told her I was taking a week of vacation for the surgery, but I didn't use any sick time. I had my surgery on a Monday, and was back to work the following Monday.

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

I was acually in the hospital for 3 days-which is unusual for this surgery, but it was because my blood sugars & blood pressure was out of whack! Bring comphy clothing & something to read.

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

None from 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?

EXCITED! I want everything 'yesterday' so I hate to wait. I dealth with the waiting pretty good - for me! I bought myself some clothes that were a size too small. Something to look forward to!

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

I was swollen at first, so couldn't eat what I had thought I'd be able to, but that went away after about 3 weeks. Then the hellish part of waiting til the first fill arrived. That was tough! Especially because my surgeons were not going to the hospital my insurance had approved for several months. It sucked - like I was pre-surgery, hungry all the time!

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

20 minutes. No affect on my aftercare!

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.

Bread does not agree with me. Scrambled eggs, hard beef. Otherwise, everything else is ok if I chew it right!

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

Slowly increased daily walking to get something in. Now a pretty consistent exerciser.

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

Took a children's chewable vitamin at first. Now nothing.

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 vomited (or tried to) from anestesia, but that's it. I was given an anti-nausea medicine at the hospital, but never had to use it once I got home.

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

Waiting for the surgery!

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

Being on Obesity Help everyday is my most beneficial support program. I love the interaction and people on this board!

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

I have 5 small scars. The biggest one is aout 1 1/2", the others are no bigger than an eraser. Much smaller than I thought they'd be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

They suck! I loose weight in blocks. Nothing for a long time, then 3 lbs at once. I'd rather loose a consistant pound every 3 days, but I don't get to choose I guess!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yea! I get compliments daily on my appearance. I didn't have a self-confidence problem before - I've been self assured with my intelligence and looks for a while, but I think I look better than I expected to :)