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

From a friend. I wanted to have it right then and there!

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

I did not have insurance that would pay a penny of most costs so I took out a loan and paid for it myself

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

It was marvelous. He took all the time I needed and showed an ovious concern for his patients. My advice, ask every question you can think of.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My lack of ability to keep off weight lost plus medical reasons

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

At my age Dr. Lord would only perform the lap band and, fortunately that was the procedure I wanted because it was less expensive than the by-pass and recovery time I would be able to return to work a bit sooner

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 truly had no fears

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?

Would have done nothing different. Family and friends were very supportive all through the process

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

I simply took sick leave. I was off about 3 weeks - could have gone back much sooner but took advantage of the opportunity to have a little time off

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

It was very pleasant. I was in the hospital 2 nights as my potassium level was too low to perform the surgery the day it was scheduled - had to wait until the next day

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

No complications what so ever

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

Felt hopeful, optimistic and happy! No anxiety

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

Expect to spend a lot of time and energy being sure you are eating right, getting in all the protein and water you need and just being amazed at your weight loss progress

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

90 miles round trip - it did not negatively affect my aftercare in any 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.

Nearly every bariatric patient, regardless of procedure, finds there is some food they liked before surgery that they no longer like. I was no exception. Bread, pasta and rice (of course, sugar but that goes without saying) were off limits and I still eat bread and pasta in very moderate amounts and eat no rice - it clogs up my opening. I do know others who have had difficulty tolerating some foods and they found that if they would wait 3 or 4 weeks they could then tolerate it. I do not eat prime rib and I prefer it rare but did try medium rare and found it too fiberous to cut/chew into small enough bites to keep it from clogging up my opening - and that sure does hurt!!!!

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

Gradually increased from couch potato to walking at least 5 times a week from 1-6 miles at a time

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

Flintstone Complete, chewable vitamins, Unjury protein supplement powders, and Bariatric Advantage chewable calcium and sublingual B-12

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?

Had slight nausea for two or three days following surgery. Used medication prescribed by my Dr. to avoid any significant problems

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

Waiting until my surgery date came around

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

My dr's bariatric support group, friends who have also had the surgery, and I currently facilitate a support group myself (I'm a practicing psychologist with a part of my client load pre-surgery assessments for bariatric patients) I believe giving and receiving support is absolutely vital for our success regardles of how long it has been since surgery

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

No big deal Yes, it is what I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

When I would hit a plateau (not often) I would simply increase my exercise and be doubly diligent about counting my calories

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get all sorts of wonderful praise And, of course, if they did not know me before my surgery they have no idea I was ever fat.