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

My mother introduced me to a lady that had 200 pounds to loose. She had done the lap band and was very excited about her 70 pound loss at that point. I was intrigued and scared that I wouldnt be able to loose weight even with something drastic like WLS.

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

still going thru it. Its painful and long and frustrating. ***** Just got approved.. i thought it really wouldnt happen. That I wasnt going to get this chance.

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

Know what you want when you go in. What is it you want to be how do you want to do it and what is realistic for you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to live long enough to see grand kids. I wanted to walk thru the yard behind a mower and not just cry from the pain in my knees and the exhastion i felt after doing something so basic

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I always knew I wanted a band. Im scared to death of the other methods

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 still have them, the fears I mean. But I do know im doing the very best thing in the world for me.

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 daughter was scared she didnt understand what it entailed. Once she had enough info she understoond and stood behind me 100% because it was something I wanted desperately 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 was out of work for a week. My choice, I didnt want to reveal to my team what I was doing. My boss checked on me wanted to ensure I was doing well and that I had the time I needed

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

I was only in for 1 day. I had the surgery at 8:30 and was out of the hospital by 2.

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

not a single one so far

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 was freaked then excited and freaked again. Im glad I made the choice

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

None are available to me now sadly... I had to move to keep my job and now its just not there. Wish this were more widely supported not just in huge cities

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

Small after a year still purple I hope they fade in time

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

nothing but a plateau. This method didnt work for me... Im not sure I would go thru it again if I were to go back in time. The effort and level to get to restriction never occured for me... then my insurance dropped me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

nope