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

I heard about the lap band procedure on the radio. I called the advertising number and then did some research on the internet. My decision to have the lap band done was very quick after I compared the different types of WLS.

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

Be patient!! It took my insurer about four months to approve.

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

My first visit was great! Dr. Veninga spent about two hours just talking to me & a friend. We discussed any concerns and he answered any of my questions. I was pleasantly surprised that he spent so much of his time with me. To date, I really like him and his office employees.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was a quik decision. I just told myself that I was ready to be thin and that I am doing it no matter what. And I did.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I compared all my options. With the lap band your not limited in the things you can eat, the surgery is less invasive, faster healing time, and there was not a death rate recorded at the time of my research.

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 wasn't scared at all about dying. I was scared about going "under" with anesthetic, but that was because this was my first surgery ever. I was a little fearful about the pain, but it turned out to not be so bad after all.

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?

Some where very excited for me, and others thought it wouldn't be a good idea. For those that didn't think it would be a good idea, I think jealousy or insecurity may have had a part in their attitudes, because they are over weight as well.

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

With the HIPPA laws, we are not forced to give details about medical procedures. I did inform them that I was "a" surgery and that I would be out for two to three weeks. My employers took it well.

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

I checked into the hospital around 6am. The surgery was scheduled for 8am. The anesthesiologist came in right after 8am, and all I remember was the kiss and hug from my mother, and then I was awoken by the nurse after the surgery. I was drowsy, but lying there straight, there was no pain. It was only when I tried to use my stomach muscles when the pain kicked in. I was later released from the hospital around 3pm. I went home with my mother who took good care of me. The pain honestly wasnt that bad!

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

It has been about 10 weeks since my surgery and the only reaction I have had, is twice, I had esophageal spasms, which are actually pretty painful. My doctor said they are caused when you eat or drink too fast. Your esophagus goes into spasms, which radiates pain throughout your chest, throat and back. Taking Zantac or other acid reflux medication will help with this problem. Since then, I have eaten and drunken slowly and this has not happened again. Everything else has been as if I never even had the surgery.

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 dont recall having any anxiety about having the surgery. To date, I honestly dont physically feel that I have had the surgery done.

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

I was on a two-week pre-op liquid diet and a two-week post-op liquid diet, for a total of four weeks. The first two weeks was hard as hell! The first week after surgery, being on the liquid diet was not hard at all, but that last week my hunger returned. But it was during these four weeks that I lost about 18lbs and people were already starting to notice my weight loss. It felt great!

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

The hospital is about a 45 min commute, which to me wasnt bad. I believe it was definitely worth it. I really liked this hospital and the people running it.

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 have already explained the liquid diet part, but even after the liquid diet, I was not supposed to have bread, rice, or any other carbs, but the doctor stressed on the bread. He explained that it expands during digestion. I also was not supposed to have sodas at all due to the carbonation causing you to have gas. To date, I CAN have breads and anything else I want, I have just chosen to eliminate my soda intake all together.

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

The more active I was, the more energy I seemed to have. It has been wonderful to go further than I have since high school.

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

I have been taking a product called Vitamist. It is a spray vitamin supplement that my doctor gave me. I dont see much of a difference using it, but since the doc ordered it, Ill take it. It doesnt taste all that bad either, and I like it better than swallowing huge pills.

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 have not had any other side effects from surgery other than the esophageal spasms that I explained earlier.

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

The before and after liquid diet!! Coming from a person that likes to eat, the liquid diet was a definite challenge for me.

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

Since things are going well for me, I have not been interested in trying to find a support group. I come to this site for recipes and I wanted to tell my "story". :)

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

My surgery was done laporscopically, which means that I was not actually cut open. I have four little 1 to 2 inch scars that are barely noticeable, and one 3 to 4 inch scar that is a little more noticeable. It has only been about 10 weeks since my surgery so I hoping that the scars will go away all together.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Waiting for my first fill (saline injection) I had stopped loosing weight. The required time from surgery until your first fill is 6 to 8 weeks and it was then that I have was a little discouraged since I wasnt seeing additional results. I am about to get my second fill and I am slowly but surely seeing more weight loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I work for a large company and I have people approaching me and complementing or congratulating me constantly. It is a good feeling!