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

I found out about bariatric surgery through a very close friend who had Lap-Band surgery, who has had excellent results.

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

I have a very good insurance company {Oxford}...and my surgeon's office did all of the work...We had no problems...I was approved quicker than I anticipated...thank goodness!!! I am so pleased that I have had the Lap-Band surgery.

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

I first had to attend an informational seminar before being able to make an appointment to meet the surgeon. I knew at the seminar that the surgeon presenting the information was the "one I wanted"....I called for an appointment the very next day. When I went to the office for the first time, I had to meet with the PA first. She did the preliminary stuff and then I met the surgeon...He was very thorough with explanations, answered my questions, included my spouse...again, I knew that "he was the one"...I had researched for a surgeon for approximately 1 1/2 years...

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery because my diabetes was getting out of control and cardiac issues were increasing. I wanted to improve my quality of life by loosing all the excess weight I had. I was 54 years old and couldnt enjoy doing much...couldnt keep my house in order, enjoy my grandchildren, etc., etc., etc....

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided which procedure by doing research on each one. I "weighed" the pros/cons of each one, talked with bariatric patients that had had one or the other, and just knew which one I wanted. Being an RN helped me, too.

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 really didnt have any fears. Everyone who faces surgery always worries about dying in/from the surgery. This is a natural feeling. I dont think I would be normal if I said I didnt think about this part, but I felt, and still feel, very comfortable and confident with trusting my life in my surgeon's hands.

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 entire family have been very supportive and still are. I sometimes get discouraged because the weight isnt going off as fast as I want it to {I am very inpatient...and want things to happen "yesterday'!}, but they remind me that the weight didnt get there overnight...They are very supportive and I am thankful for that. They sometimes feel badly because they are eating more than I can, but I tell them not to...I chose to have the surgery and I knew that it would be a lifelong change. And, I cant expect them to change their ways because of me.

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

I am not employed.

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

I had 2 surgeries...had to have lap cholecystectomy first due to a small gallstone {which I didnt know I had}...then went back for the Lap-Band. Lap chole was a Same Day Surgery...had no complications. Lap-Band surgery was an overnight stay only because I lived 1 1/2 hours from the hospital and had to have a post-op barium swallow next morning. Had no complications from this surgery either.

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

No complications at all....

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 excited and couldnt wait to get there...didnt really have any anxiety...

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

I had to follow the post-op diet schedule given me by my surgeon. I had my surgery done four days before Christmas so Christmas Day was a little rough. My family was eating a big Christmas dinner and I was drinking 30 cc of fluid q15 min...but I knew this was only temporary...I got through it...I did what I felt physically able to do...I really have not had any problems...

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

I travelled 1 1/2 hours {to another state} for my surgery...and I dont regret it at all...I am so glad that I made the choice to have my surgery at Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut. We have some bariatric surgeons closer to home, but I didnt care for their programs or them, and the hospital closest to where I live doesnt do the surgery...but even if they did, I wouldnt go there!!! I wouldnt take my sick dog there.. You are just a number there, not a person. The hospital is so impersonal!!!! and the nursing staff is a poor excuse for nurses {I am an RN myself} and wouldnt think of treating my patients in the manner that they perform!!!!!!

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 followed the dietary plan given me by my surgeon. The first week was basically clear liquids {30cc} q15 mins, progressing to full liquids, then soft, the regular. The diet progressed over a period of 5-6 weeks. Not supposed to eat red meats, make sure we eat 3 small meals a day, plenty of liquids, and make sure we drink/get enough protein. I havent had really any problems except I did try beef stew once...just didnt work...but I wasnt supposed to be eating red meat anyway...I just wanted to see!!! I follow a low fat, no sugar diet.

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

My energy level has increased. I am able to walk now without getting out of breath, but still experience back pain due to a nursing injury.

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

I take a multivitamin once a day...had Lap-Band surgery so dont have to take all of the other supplements that bypass surgery patients need.

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 did not experience any side effects from the surgery....

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

I cant say there was any worst part...I just get discouraged at times that the weight is not going off as fast as I want it to, but that is my fault too because I "test" to see what I can eat and how much before I get that "nasty feeling"...and I think it is very important to have support people....

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

I just have my friend who had the Lap-Band surgery, my family...I dont go to the support group program because it is 1 1/2 hour drive for me...and there isnt any near my home...and I dont care for the leader... However, I think it is very important for group support, etc...

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

I knew what to expect from laparoscopic surgery...I have five little scars...2 of which one can hardly see...with time they should fade away....one is in the middle of my abdomen and I hope that it will really fade away and not be seen as my goal is to be able to wear a two-piece {not a bikini} bathing suit next summer....

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I think that I reached a plateau about 6-8 weeks post-op because I stayed the same weight for 6 weeks...partly because I was not following my diet strictly.. I had lost weight prior to the Lap-Band though because of Lap Cholecystectomy...As of today, I have lost a total of 40 pounds...only 6-8 though from the date of the Lap-Band surgery {12/21/04}... I havent had to take any diabetic medication since the Lap Chole in 11/04...this is a PLUS+++++

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People who havent seen me for a time sometimes dont recognize me...this makes me feel good cause I have lost some weight...