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

For years I was against it cause I thought it was the "easy way out" and I could do it myself. Then when I became desperate I looked into it further. I had also known others in which surgery had helped them.

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

For me it was very easy. Thankfully medicare pays for it and I also had a supplemental ins also. I did have to pay some fees that ins would not cover to be a part of the bariatric program nearby.

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

My visit with the surgeon was quite cut and dry. because I was in a program, I had gone through a lot of education about my surgery before I even got to the doctor. I suggest doing a lot of research on your own also. There are wonderful websites to help you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

desperation and depression

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did not want anything drastic like removing my stomach. I also did not want to have to have malabsorb issues.

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?

It's normal to be nervous. All surgery has risks. My biggest fear was that I would not follow the rules for success and that I would once again fail at taking and keeping my weight off. That is still a concern.

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?

I was selective in who I told. Some family I knew would be against it so I did not share it with them till just before surgery and then I did it through e-mail because I did not want to hear their negativity. I have a lot of supportive friends.

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

I am retired

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

Yes, I was glad I attended. It was very informative and I was hopeful, which I had not felt in a very long time. I was excited.

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

Medicare requires an overnight stay for surgery so that's what I had to do. Many lap-band patients go home from the recovery room. My stay was pleasant. The hospital I was in had their own section for bariatric patients and they were all private rooms. We got to meet and talk with others patients after their surgeries too.

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

none 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 didn't get a surgery date for a couple of months. I had to participate in the bariatric program of education etc before I got a date. Had to see their psche dr for an evaluation. Once I passed that was when I got a date for surgery. I was excited to finally have a date. It finally became "real" that I was having this done. I was also seeing my own private therapist to work through any fears and concerns. I also took part in a online forum which helped a lot.

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

The first week I was fine. The second week which happened to be over Christmas I was very miserable. I was still on a liquid diet and it just ruined my whole holiday. I missed terribly not being able to eat real food. I think if it had not been over the holiday it would have been easier. I was told to expect some feelings of regret and depression and I experienced both.

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

I am very fortunate to have a Bariatric Center for Excellance just 20 min away.

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 am just now into my 5th post-op week. The first 2 weeks was liquid protein shakes, skim milk, sf popsicles, broths, decaf teas and sf drinks. No carbonated drinks. No reg coffee. I then progressed to pureed foods. I basically just put my measured out foods into a small food processor along with either, lite mayo, I used salsa also to moisten my meats. I cooked veggies till very soft and just mashed them up good. The 4th week was basically the same foods but I did not have to puree them any longer. Just soft moist foods like dark meat chicken, tuna, eggs, cott cheese. I could also eat fruits in week 3 and 4. First I had to puree them and then just cut them up real small. I have not been able to eat simple carbs like pasta, rice, or breads. I can have complex carbs now like beans, oatmeal, not instant, and yams. Only have these once a day though. After going withou coffee for a month before surgery which was what was required, I have lost my desire for it. I can now have decaf coffee but it just doesn't agree with me now. Some of my favorite foods like pizza, chinese, fast food, pastas, etc have and will continue to be off limits for quite awhile. Those are dangerous foods for me and certainly not foods to partake of when trying to lose weight.

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

I have some physical limitations like bad knees and hips. Walking ANY distance was very difficult and painful. I am now to the point of walking on most days anywhere from 20-30 min. 30 min is still kind of pushing my limits still.

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

Mutivitamin, calcium, fiber supplements, omega 3, ant-oxidants, and fish oil. These are all recommended by my surgeon.

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 am now experiencing a little bit of nausea. Nothing bad, just enough to feel a little yucky. Other than that no problems as of yet.

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

The liquid diets and the waiting to get through all the processes I had to go through with the education and requirements.

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

My bariatric center has support groups for all types of surgery but they also have one especially for lap-band people. I have only been to one because they are once a month but it was great and I will continue to attend. I also will stay active on my online support forum. I think both of these are critical for continued success. It's too easy to fall back into old bad habits. We need to support each other.

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

My scars are 5 small ones. The largest is about 2" long for the port. Not bad at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None as of yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. Most are happy for me and supportive.