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

My best friend overheard a coworker dicussing her lap band procedure, asked her several questions and set up a meeting with my approval with her. My friend had seen my fear and frustration and being overweight.

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

I am one of the lucky people who has great insurance through my job working at a hospital that has a service of excellence center for bariatric surgery. I followed all of the criteria, and was helped whenever things got rough.

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

I was shell shocked at my first visit. I had orignally wanted to do the lap bad, but the surgeon was very direct with me and told me that due to my health issues and diet history that I would probably fail. I had only researched the lap band, I should have researched all of the processes.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just could no longer lose the weight on my own. I also knew that I would have the complete support of my spouse.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After doing alot of research, from books, on the web, and going to support groups.

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 was afraid of waking up during surgery, or not waking up at all. I spoke to my surgeon and the anesthesia staff about my fears. It turns out I had nothing to worry about.

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 spouse went with me to the information seminar and was okay with my decision. All of my friends were supportive and continue to be.

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

My boss has been suportive since day one. My boss was aware of some of my health issues and my struggles and felt that I was making a good decision. I was out of work for almost 4 weeks, but was able to do some work from home the last week and 1/2 on my laptop.

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

It was eye opening and actually made me feel like I was heading in the right direction. I felt relieved that there was a chance that I could turn my life around.

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

I was in a single room specifically for bariatric patients. I had excellent care from all staff. I was there for 3 days. Just about everything I needed was supplied to me. Hygiene is an issue, so bath wipes, toothbrush and toothpaste, hair brush, deoderant, etc is a must. I also brought my cpap, which is a must if you have sleep apnea.

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

No complicstions

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 excited about the surgery and felt like it was actually going to happen. I had dreams about it. One night I woke up thinking to myself, what the heck am I doing, why am I going to let them cut my stomach, but the fear passed when I thought about how this would be a second chance at getting my health back. I read more about the surgery and read the forums for perspective.

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

The first week was hell. The pain level was very high, I was seriously reconsidering my decision. I felt helpless, it was hard for me to drink both water and my protein shakes, and I had to have my spouse help me with just about everything. After the 6th day, I started to feel better, and was able to walk more. By the 2nd week, and was feeling like I was over the worst of it and had finally gotten to the other side. My spouse, frienda and family let me vent and gave me comfort.

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

The center is 20 miles from my home. My spouse was able to drive 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.

The first week was all fluids, and even then I had problems getting enough. It always felt like it was stuck in my throat. After the first week, I was in the pureed food stage, where I could only take 2 tbls before I felt full and uncomfortable. Anything with carbs was a problem, giving me stomach cramps. I am still experimenting with food to find out what I can and cannot tolerate.

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

The first week I could barely get myself off the couch. After the first week, I started walking about 20 minutes a day, then the next week 30 minutes a day. I have since been able to walk for an hour a day without a problem

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

I take 2 complete multi formula chewable bariatric supplements every day, I take 1000 IU of B12 every other day, I take 500 mg of calcium 3 times a day. I am over the age of childbirth, so I do not need to take Iron supplements. I drink 2 protein shakes a day with skim milk so that I can get at least 60 grams of protein a day.

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 get stomach cramps from fruits. I am still experimenting with food to find out what I can tolerate.

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

The week after surgery. The pain level was very high and it was extremely difficult to get in all of my protien and water.

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

I am still in touch with some of my cognitive behavioral therapy group and I found the forums online to be very helpful. Since all of the aches, pains and setbacks are new, it's helpful to find out of these things are normal and help in charting my progress. My center also has a support group.

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

I have six scars from the laproscopic surgery. I am not far enough along for them to have disappeared yet. The one scar from the drain is the worst, since this was the last one to be closed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

3 weeks after surgery I have been the same weight for 4 days. I was beginning to get depressed about it, but have found out from the forum that things like this are normal and it will run it's course.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I haven't lost enough weight for it to be a wow factor. but I am getting alot of support.