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

I felt that no one should choose to have elective surgery. It was a crazy thing to do.

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

That was not easy to get. I was denied and this caused me to cancel my surgery at the last minute. I spoke with the insurance company. I had to resubmitt the information again and again. I had to file appeals Finally I spoke with an attorney, resubmitted the information and appealed and I was finally granted approval. This process caused a delay in surgery of 5 months until the final approval.

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

He was friendly yet professional. He pointed out that I did not yet decide what procedure that I wanted. Initially I was going to have a gastric bypass. Then I relized that the band was less invasive and that is what I chose.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew that I could not lose weight on my own.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Less invasive.

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 felt that at my age, 50 years old, no one ever knows what can happen to them.

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?

Only one friend who had a gastric bypass was supportive of my decision. Everyone else was against it and very verbal. I did not tell many people prior to my sugery that I planned to have a lap band.

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

I was out of work for 2 weeks. That was simply because I was not permitted to drive. The recovery was fast. I did not tell my employer the nature of my surgery simply that I was having surgery.

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

Overnight. Pain control. The bed was a special bariactric bed that stood up and could not be controled by me, that drove me crazy.

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 called the MD. The dietician was a waste of time.

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

I felt like I was in the twilight zone, it did not seem real. When I went to the MD for the first time I said, I didn't lose and then saw I lost 11 pounds.

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

OH Oh, yes, he only has day hours and I work. I have been remiss in follow up with my surgeon but not with the adjustments.