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

I checked it out on the internet and was very impressed with the information I found.

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

The only problem I had with insurance approval was the six-month waiting period prior to surgery in which you had to have the doctor certify that you were dieting monthly and that you had not gained more than you started at.

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

I was very impressed with my doctor. He put me completely at ease and was very considerate of my feelings. Have a list of questions that you want to ask the doctor written down. You will forget everything you want to know without it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The amount of surgeries that my doctor had preformed and the rate of rehabilitation of the patients.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor told me that the way I ate would determine the type of surgery. I am a grazer who ate small amounts all day. I am also a sweets person and I knew that I would be able to cheat with 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?

Very few. I feel that I was dying from the weight so there wasn't much difference in that or dying from the surgery. At least I would be doing something to try to help myself.

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 very supportive of my decision. No I wouldn't change anything since they have stayed just as supportive as I have lost weight.

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

I'm retired so that was not a problem for me.

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

I couldn't have asked for better care anywhere. I went in on a Monday and left at noon on Wednesday. Bring chapstick since you will have very dry lips after the surgery.

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

No, I did extremely well.

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

Very excited. I wasn't worried at all.

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

You will be sore but the more you walk, the better you will feel. You will get tired easily and bored with the food until you can add some variety to what you can have. Hang in there, it's worth it.

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

I had a 3 1/2 hour drive from the hospital and doctor's office. I had to stop every 45 minutes to walk to prevent blood clots but that was not a problem. My aftercare has been wonderful. I have not had any complaints.

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.

The first week was liquids. Each week you could add a little more food to the liquids. As the months passed, you can add chicken, beef, and pork. You have to watch the fat content and the sugar content of foods because you cannot tolerate them very well. I still have trouble with chicken if it is not very moist. I have not eaten very much beef or pork but they have to be moist as well.

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

I have increased my exercise amount since surgery.

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

2 multivitamins, B 12, B 1, biotin, 2 calcium chews, Vitamin C and 2 iron tablets, magnesium.

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?

The nausea was the worst and I still have it if I eat something that has more fat or sugar than I can handle. I have learned what triggers it and try to avoid them.

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

I really can't say anything bad about the entire surgery process. I didn't have any problem that I wasn't prepared to cope with.

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

I attend the support group at Georgetown Bariatric Center in Georgetown, Kentucky when I have an appointment there on meeting dates. Otherwise, I participate in the online meetings with Bariatric Eating.com weekly. The web site for the Georgetown Bariatrics patients has been my main source of support and I have relied on them for everything.

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

Less than an inch in size (7 of them). This was what the doctor described when I met with him to set the surgery date.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several plateaus but keep eating the way you are supposed to and the weight will start to drop again. Exercise is also important to prevent weight loss stalls.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. People open doors for me, they are more polite, and are actually friendlier.