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

I found information at my lil' bros' place about surgery about 15 years back (and he wasn't really heavy, maybe just 30 to 50 pounds overweight. I started thinking about the surgery and would kind of read things if I came across it. I always believed I could do it myself (YEAH RIGHT!). Not that I couldn't do it by myself, but when hunger (at least I thought it was hunger) hit, there it goes out the window!!! Six years and after adding 20 to 30 more pounds I knew some people who had the major surgery, and they had gained all their weight back plus even more. And they couldn't eat fruits and vegetables and some meats. They only seemed to be able to keep down fast food and sweets, that was it. Well I shut the door on the surgery then, I still kept telling myself I could do it and I kept adding on the poundage about 50 pounds more. A month before my appointment with Dr. McKewen, I had heard about lap band. Because the lap band did not permanently rearrange your body, I thought I would look into and see how safe it really was.

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

I had asked my insurance if they covered the surgery, and they said no; so I went no further toward insurance reimbursement. I went self-pay. After I did self-pay, I had heard of earlier patients of Dr. McKewens going self-pay because they were not willing to wait for insurance approval. Sometimtes that can take up to 18 months. And remember, some of this may be tax deductible too.

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

Write down all questions that you have about this type of bariatric surgery. That's the only way I remember to ask. He explained everything. If I had any doubts before this appointment, I didn't any more.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My doctor/surgeon was the person that made me decide to have the surgery. The way he explained things, etc. And knowing they believed in aftercare.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was only willing to do the lapband!

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?

These surgeons and anesthesiologists have had so much experience with this procedure. Talking with other patients really helps too. Because I found out, everyone has the same fears, so going to Obesity Help really does help.

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 friends and neighbors are great. They have noticed I've lost weight. I don't feel it's noticeable yet, but it makes one feel better. My friends they encourage me, support me. Asking me if they can do anything for me.

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

At this time I am out of work.

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

My surgery took place at the Indiana Surgery Center in Noblesville. I was totally anxious that morning! I had to be there by 7 a.m. Well when I went to my room, my fears were relieved. The nurses get all your stats, they speak with you like you're old friends. They didn't care if you were their patient or not, they came in and helped and spoke with you. I still had fears about intubation (which were relieved by the anesthesiologist Dr. Bray(?)). No one can ever find my veins; maybe 1 out of a hundred. I come by that honestly, I got that from my mother. But he came in instroduced himself, and he found the vein. The surgeon, Dr. McKewen also came in to let you know that he was there, and he explained things. The nurses always make sure your ice bag is full. Dr. McKewen does lapband on an out-patient basis. His patients stay in the hospital over night. It's approximately 23 hours from when stats are taken. Bring your night clothes if you don't like to wear hospital gowns. They put one on on the front of you and also the back of you (so your tushie doesn't try to peak:o) Bring your lip balm, chap stick, etc. Your lips do get terribly dry.

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

I had no complications at all! But of course I have the best surgeon there is!

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

The night before I started my liquid diet, I got depressed! (stupid) The realization of what I was doing finally hit me. The depression did go away the next day when I started the liquid dient. I kept myself busy (spring cleaning, etc.) to keep my mind off of it.

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

The first few weeks, I had no pain, no hunger, nothin'. That concerned me because I had talked to some people and they had pain (I didn't). I was worried there was something the matter with me or maybe Dr. McKewen didn't put the lapband in. That's a stupid thought, but I couldn't believe that I had no pain. I had almost no energy though -- which is to be expected. Instead of sleeping in my bed on slept on my couch for 3 days. I don't know why but it made me feel better (I then heard other patients would lay on their stomachs in bed and they said it was extremely painful.

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

I traveled about 20 minutes, 10 to 15 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 am 28 days out. I followed the binder instructions Dr. McKewen gave me. I'm now on solid foods. I am able to tolerate everything! I was hoping my love for chocolate would go bye-bye -- that did not happen (doggone it!)

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

2 to 3 weeks after surger, activity was almost non-existent. But starting on mushies and then regular food, but activity level went up. I was able to go to 4 different stores without stopping. It's been over at least 5 years since that happened

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

I have started taking the Bariatric vitamins that were included in my pre-op kit. Sorry but those things not very tasty at all. Optisource vitamins that you can get through the internet throught Walgreens are good.

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?

At this point in time (28 days out), I have not had any side effects. But if I don't chew enough, I feel the food go down - that's a smidge uncomfortable.

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

When I woke up in my room after surgery I really wasn't in any pain, but I thought to myself -- "What the h&*( did I do, they need to remove this thing now". My mom said I didn't not look happy at all. Then I went back to sleep and woke up later and felt just fine, no doubts, etc.

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

The doctor's liason got me some lapband buddies. I also go to the monthly support meetings. I find both extremely helpful because I always had/have questions, wondering if I was doing it correctly, and just to talk to someone who's going through what you've been through.

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

My scars are still healing, so I really don't know yet.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet.