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

my grandmother had weight loss surgery when i was a teenager.

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

I am extremely lucky to have a very good insurance company. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield and I didnt have any issues getting approved.

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

My surgeon's office was in Portland and I live in Eugene. They did everything possible to accomadate me by making more than one appointment in one day. They were very professional and very hospitable.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I've known for several years that I wanted to have WLS, I've just never had the funding to do so until I became insured by BC/BS.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided to go with the Lap Band because according to studies it is a less evasive surgery and just as effective.

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 originally was scheduled to have the bypass and I was very nervous because of the extreme surgery that it is. After changing my surgery to Lap Band I was very comfortable with my decision and excited to go through with it. My only fear with the Lap Band is that the weight loss would not be the same as the Bypass.

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?

everone... friends and family were very supportive.

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

My employer (supervisor's) were extremely supportive and did everything possible to allow me to have my surgery.

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

I was at Legacy in Portland, Oregon the day of surgery and was discharged the next day around noon. I was extremely impressed with the care that I received at Legacy from the doctors to the nurses aides... even the admissions staff were great! I was extremely comfortable and was treated with compassion and respect.

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

none

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 was anxious, but excited!

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

I was tired and weak for at least the first three to four weeks. I was scheduled off of work for three weeks but for some reason felt the need to go back early and only stayed home for two of those weeks. If I had to do it over again, I would definately stay home an extra week

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

I had to travel 100 miles to get to the Hospital. If I had to do it over again I would stay another day in the hospital because of the bumpy trip home or find a smoother ride!

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.

the first month was pretty easy, I never felt deprived and was easily satisfied with a protein drink, yogurt, soup, or crab flakes. I've had two fill's and both have helped but I dont think that I've reached full restriction as of yet.

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

I was very tired and week. I didnt start doing more normal activities with a smile until the 2nd month.

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

chewable multi-vitamin & chewable calcium

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 didnt really have any of the symptoms, I slept good because I was weak and taking pain meds. I didnt have nausea and so far I havent noticed any significant hair loss.

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

the only thing that I can say I didnt like about the surgery was that it took so long for me to finally get it.

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

I talk with co-workers that have had WLS and co-workers that plan to have surgery.

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

scaring is very minimal. Nothing compared to being over weight!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

so far I have been losing one week and holding for a week. I havent gained yet, the scale appears to be my friend for the first time in my life!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, everyone is very supportive. I actually notice people looking at me not around me and treating me completely different.