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

My older sister had lapband in 2005. I wasnt sure about it until I talked with her and researched it on the internet.

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

My insurance approval actually went pretty quick and easy. I didnt have any problems getting approval and from start to finish I was approved in about a month.

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

Have a list of what you want to know...ask everything! This is surgery, you will be put under and cut into, take it serious.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My kids. I didnt want my kids to be ashamed of me. I wanted to lose the weight before they were old enough to realize they had a fat mom.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted the option of having it reversed if I had any complications.

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 did have complications with the surgery...the "knicked" an artery during surgery. I had a lot more pain post-op than normal.

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 family was pretty supportive. My mom and dad both were concerned for my safety with the surgery, but ultimately knew that this was something that I had to do.

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

My boss was very rude to me about it all. I ultimately ended up quitting my job because she would not give me the days off for the surgery. She said since it was technically an "elective" surgery and that I did not have to have ti that she would not approve my time off.

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

I was in the hospital overnight. I basically walked most of the night after surgery. Very sore and a lot of pain.

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

Yes, an artery was knicked during surgery, so I had a lot more pain and longer healing time.

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. Nervous but very excited.

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

I moved very slow for the first few days at home. The weight loss started very slow, it wasnt until the 2nd fill that I started to really notice the weight loss.

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

130 miles

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 immediately could not eat cottage cheese. That was the only restriction that I felt after the surgery. After my first fill I could not eat the breads and meats. After my 3rd fill I couldnt eat any solids and had to go back in and have some fluid taken out. My band is still very tight, I eat mostly soups and fruit smooties.

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

Slow at first, after a week or so I started moving more like I did before surgery.

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

I try and remember to take 2 Flintstones Complete daily.

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 really didnt have any of those symptoms.

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

The cost out of pocket. And all the sagging skin left over after the weight loss.

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

None.

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

5 Small, raised and red scars. Basically what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had a few plateaus...mostly in the beginning tho.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Very shocked when they see me if they haven't seen me in a while. I think people are nicer to me now then before, but it may all be in my head too.