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

Friend had LapBand 9 months before me.

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

I submitted a full outline and chart of everything I had done throughout my life. I think this helped. I also wrote the insurance company a letter stating that I could either have this done or look at knee replacements in five years. I was approved on the first submission.

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

I wrote down a lot of questions and went through each question with hte surgeon. My judgment of him came from how patient and thorough he was with answering my questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Decided the Band was something I could live with and have a better life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The LapBand was the only choice for me. I have heard of too many complications, both short term and long term with some of the other surgeries. I just felt it was right for me.

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 was completely confident in my surgeon, and the surgery is minimally invasive with the Band.

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?

Very thrilled for me.

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

My boss was worried about me. More so than my friends or family! He is stressing again because I have to have it replaced. Nice to be cared about!

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

The hospital I had the surgery in was horrible. The service was horrible, and I was very happy I had a girlfriend there to take care of me.

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

I had some fever due to my lungs and being under anethesia. Dr. Barker actually had a nurse call me from the operating room while he was doing surgery to tell me it had to be my lungs and to breath deeply and walk. It worked. I do think everyone should be sent home with that little breathing thing that you breath into and the ball rises. Helps a lot.

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

Just wanted to do it quickly and move towards a new life.

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

Sore. Hungry. Takes a little getting used to. The thing about the band is that everyone is different. But there is a lot of help on this forum.

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

1 hour away. Has made it difficult having to drive that far, and the trip home was interesting. Just get a shot before you leave the hospital and you will sleep most of the way!

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.

Right after surgery you are swollen and you can pretty much only do liquids. As the swelling goes down, you can eat more than you should. When you get your first fill, life changes! People are different in what they can eat and tolerate. I have never been able to do eggs. My friend can. You start thinking of what "packs" and what chews up well. I have a problem with apples, watermelon, bread is a no go. The biggest tip is chew, chew, chew. It makes a huge difference.

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

I was only down about three days. I couldn't work out for a few weeks, and no lifting weights for six. Piece of cake on the surgery side.

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 only problems I have ever had was when I ate something I shouldn't have, or didn't chew. I can tell you where every restroom is in any place in Ft. Worth! I have problems taking vitamins. I don't tolerate chewables well or liquids. I started losing hair like crazy and found Centrum chewables. I smash it up and put it in orange juice and then drink it. Works for me.

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

The air that is in your body after surgery. That hurt way more than the surgery, but dissipated in a couple of days.

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

I didn't have one. However, I had a girlfriend who we were each other's support. Support is important.

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

There are several small ones. I figure they will be gone in the tummy tuck!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not lost weight in a year due to a leak. It has been very frustrating because the doctor and fill doctor kept telling me there was no leak. I KNEW there was. It was a very slow leak. I would have restriction and then I would have none. The good thing is I didn't gain any weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Certainly. It's the way life is. However, I am dating again, and that is pretty darn fun! A little funny when they want to take you to nice restaurants and you can't eat much. You know they are wondering. The only thing I miss is a steak once in a while. Red meat doesn't do well for me.