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

TV and that it was to good to be true

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

first call your insurance and ask them what they need from you all insurances are different as for me I did my homework and got mine done in 8 months

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

Well my doctor is the best all I had to do was listen he told me everything that I need to know he covered all the bases.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health and my wanting to look and feel better.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

with only 100 pds to lose I felt the lap band was the less harsh 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?

The only fear I had was if I did not do it I was going to die from health problems so it was either the weight or the surgery I told the surgery and I tell other's you have two choices either die from being over weight or take a chance and have the surgery and save your life.

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 all happy that I took things in to my own hands and that I was getting help as for support I could not ask for more support then I am getting from them they all have been great.

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

they had no problem with it they said your health comes first and 4 weeks was not bad at all.

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

My stay was only over night and I had no problems with the hospital they were all great.

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

sorry no complications.

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 so happy I was going crazy just waiting.

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

My first day I slept but then I was ready to go everyday after that I was feeling better all I can say is do as your doctor say's no more then that and all should be fine.

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

I had only 6 miles to go so no big deal to me.

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.

I understand that some people have problems but I have not had any with any type of food.I followed my diet to a t and now I am eating just like I did before just smaller amounts and making better choices.

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

At first I just walked every couple of hours I would walk around the yard and as time went on I went for longer and longer walks now 6 weeks out I am riding my bike walking and wii fit.

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

Just vitamins and B12

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?

no problems with any of these things.

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

The first day I did ask myself what have I done but by the next moring I was up and ready to go home and had no pain at all.

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

We have a group that meets every 3rd thursday of the month and it is very helpful

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

No I was told I would have 6 holes but my doctor now does it with only 5 so I feel ripped off (ha ha) but they are small and by summer should be all but gone.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes they all keep telling me how good I am looking and how proud of me they are