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

A friend had Lap Band surgery in 1998, and I was impressed that she lost so much weight, so quickly.

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

Was approved over the phone.

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

I first met with my dr's nurse. I had done my research, and had all my questions written down, and ready to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Knowing that losing weight would extend my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

There was no question. LapBand all the way baby!! RNY is not performed as routinely in Australia as it is in the US, and you have to be *really* over weight for a doc to even consider it (or have had a previously failed WLS, and cannot be banded)

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 tried not to think about what could go wrong. I knew there was a slim chance of something happening, and I talked with my husband about what I wanted to happen if I did die.

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 mother was not impressed that I didnt push for RNY. she wanted a skinny daughter, and Lapband will never make me "skinny" just slim and healthy.

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

I was/ am a stay at home mum.

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

My stay was wonderful. I was in for 3 nights, had my own room, and I felt well enough by the night of the op to watch some TV.

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

No, I am very blessed.

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 had a 3 week wait till my surgery. I had a lot of pre op appointments to deal with in those weeks, so it was not hard to keep busy.

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

It was pretty hard to get enough water in in the first week or so. I was worried I would strech my pouch, or slip my band, but after the first week, and all the swelling from the op went down, I was doing well.

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

My surgeon is about 10km from me.

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 was on liquids only for 2 weeks (tea, coffee, thin soups, protien drinks) then on mushy food for two (anything that I could blend) Then softer solid food for two weeks. Then on to normal foods.

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

I was walking my son to school by the second week. I was back to "normal" pretty quickly.

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

I should be taking a multi vitamin every day. But all my labs keep coming back perfect despite my slack job.

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 had no side effects (that I can remember)

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

I don't think there was anything I can define as the "worst". I am sure there were little things, but nothing I can put my finger on.

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

I see my doctor every two months. More often if I feel I need a fill.

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

I have 1 3cm scar, and 4 0.5cm scars, all of them have faded.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am 15.5 months out and haveyet to have a real plateau (I define a plateau as no weight loss for more than 2 weeks)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Men are paying more attention to me now... My son love showing off his mummy, and my husband is super proud of me, and all I have done!