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

I had seen the lapband on TV and a lady I worked for 10 years ago had the bypass. I felt the bypass was very risky and I was not that obese then. The lapband seemed the way to go.

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

Well with me it was approved almost immediately. Perhaps because I had the co morbidities, I'm 62 and had 1 knee surgery and one knee replacement and I was not really looking to get the lapband. Anyway I didn't need psyciatric screening or any of the other things. I really didn't want the surgery but since I have had it I am very glad and feel much better.

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

I was in overnight. I wasn't in long enough to really need anything.

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

The only thing I had was I was allergic to the adhesive. I had to take an antibiotic.

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 went back to work on Friday. I had my surg on Monday got out Tuesday, held intrviews on Friday and went to work again on Sunday. No anxiety.

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

You should expect that food will be made and the smells will make you hungry. Believe me all the protien shakes in the world don't taste like meat or chicken. All of them are sweet and some salty protien shakes would have done good. Theres only so much bullion you can drink.

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

10 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 have been able to eat pretty much anything. I just have to chew very well. Meat and bread are the hardest. We are used to swallowing with only 5 bites and this is the hardest thing to remember not to do. Bread is not big with me since I am not a bread or potatoe eater. Also not drinking anything for an hour after is hard. Then I forget and don't drink anything.

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

The usual office and work at home.

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

Chewable vitamins and Liquid C.

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?

None of these except for nausea immediately after the surgery.

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

The nausea immediately after and the allergy to the adhesive on my bandaids.

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

My doctor has a once a month support group but no one goes.

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

A little bigger than i expected but I think it was because of my allergy. I didnt know I was allergic to the adhesive on the bandaids

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I don't seem to have lost the weight like I should have. I have only lost 30 lbs since my surgery on Sept 14.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. They comment on my weight loss but no different.