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

I had heard about by-pass surgery, but wasn't comfortable with what I had heard from the persons that had by-pass surgery. Most did well the 1st year, but since they didn't make any effort to change their life styles they gained the weight back and sometimes more. I knew that if I was going to make the lap-band (my choice-due to wasn't permanent) work for me I had to change my lifestyle and avoid listening to those cruel and mean comments from persons that thought that they were better than me.

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

Insurance would not pay for bariatric surgery, therefore I opted to have the surgery done in Mexico. No regrets there. Very pleasant experience. I have heard that insurances now pay for bariatric surgery - however non that I currently have will. Mostly plan on paying for the surgery out of your own pocket. It will be the best investment of your life,

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

I did not see the surgeon until about 30 minutes before surgery. His office staff answered all of my questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was just tired of being obese and I had the ability to work from home for 3 months and that gave me the ability to focus on myself and have no outside interference. I waited 2 weeks from the time I looked into the options until I had the surgery. That is the best way to do it. Don't dwindle too long. It will make you crazy and confused.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had heard about by-pass surgery, but wasn't comfortable with what I had heard from the persons that had by-pass surgery. Most did well the 1st year, but since they didn't make any effort to change their life styles they gained the weight back and sometimes more. I knew that if I was going to make the lap-band (my choice-due to wasn't permanent) work for me I had to change my lifestyle and avoid listening to those cruel and mean comments from persons that thought that they were better than me.

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 just didn't focus on the possibility of complications and went in with a positive attitude. As this was my last chance to get a new life. If I kept up the old me I would be dead by now.

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?

I didn't tell anyone until I returned from Mexico after the surgery. Husband was unsupportive and would not travel to Mexico with me (now is ex-husband - because he was too selfish and self centered to even notice. Shocked and unsupportive. Now they are all glad that I made the decision and supportive (a little too late - as far as I'm concerned).

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

I did not tell anyone that I had the surgery. It was really none of their business. They were all surprised and shocked when they saw me 4 months later 100lbs lighter. I was officially off work for 2 days (Friday and Monday). Since I had the ability to work from home no one knew.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I did not attend any seiminars - because back then they did not have any in my area. I just did the research and went on a whim to Mexico to have the surgery done. The experience was a very pleasing one with no regrets. About $20,000 cheaper in Mexico vs US. Since I had to pay cash out of my pocket

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

It was a very pleasant experience. The nurses were very nice to me. I had surgery at 9pm on Friday evening and left the following day for home.

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

I didn't have any immediate complications from the surgery. Later on (about 1 yr later) I had to have my port fixed as when it was originally placed it was attached to all the fat and since the fat was gone, needed to be re-attached to the muscle.

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 didn't have time to think as I made the decision and set the date within a few days. I was busy working and didn't have any anxiety except the few hours before surgery. I was supposed to have my surgery at 3pm and didn't have it until around 9pm. Other than that no anxiety.

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

I had no problems, just needed time to get used to eating small amounts as I was used to shoveling tons of food in a very short period of time. I worked very hard to stick to a schedule for eating (which I had never done before)

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

I traveled about 2000 miles. There was not after per say. I had found a doctor in the area that agreed to provide my lap-band fills when necessary. I had to provide my own diet program (which basically was really close to the South Beach Diet).

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 could pretty much eat everything if it was cut up really small. After about 5 yrs I couldn't eat eggs in the morning or eat chicken sometimes and brocolli (size I think). I am back on Nutrisystem to finish loosing the remaining 45lbs that I had gained due to hystorectomy and hip replacement. While on the Nutrisystem program I have had not prolems with any food.

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

I started walking right away. In previous years I had always walked 5 miles per day, so I was able to start back doing that. When my hip became very bad I was unable to walk more than a mile at a time. Since the hip surgery I have been able to restart the walking routine and am back to 7-10 miles per day. I am riding bikes again and that does help quite a bit.

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

I take daily suppliments from GNC. I learned early on that I needed plenty of Iron and fats to keep my hair from falling out. I have my blood checked every 6 months to make sure that I am not anemic or iron levels are high enough. This has been a regular routine.

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?

hair loss early on was the biggy. Once I started back with the protein and fats my hair stopped falling out and became very healthy. I only get nausea when my port needs to be adjusted. I had it repaired 1 time in Sept 2005 and having it repaired in July 2011. No sleep problems unless I eat late at night (my fault)

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

I really didn't see a downside. It was my last chance at getting help to have a normal life again.

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

I think that the aftercare program is the biggest help that they can give a person. I was not able to have that. Once you have the procedure done out of the US. There isn't any doctor in the US that will touch you. Mostly they are jackasses in my opinon. They only want to work on brand new persons. With that being said I still would have done it the same way. The mental body image needs after care to help you thru this part, your mind still thinks of you as fat and tries to put you back in the same mode, when you I looked in the mirror i still saw an obese person (even after loosing 100 lbs).

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

The scars are virtually invisible.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau around 6 months. Which was ok as my skin needed to catch up and so did my mental picture.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes they do. people are very predjuice of obsese people. They virtually don't even see you. I now have persons telling me how pretty I am. (People that didn't know me before). Job and career and much better.