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

I read about it. I was impressed by afraid by the possibility of dying during surgery or soon thereafter. Gastric bypass would have been best for my eating style but not for my lifestyle.

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

I followed the directions of the Bariatric Nurse and got all the questions answered regarding what they would and would not cover in advance of my first appointment and had all of the information for the hospital.

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

I enjoyed my first visit with the surgeon. He answered my questions, went over the things I had learned in the sessions and videos. He did a brief physical exam.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I planned to resign from my job and wanted it done before the end of the year.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lapband was the happy medium. Gastric bypass was very invasive and the sleeve has not been around long enough for me to be satisfied or sure of its results.

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?

Plainly stated I just feared the possibility of dying undergoing a surgery that if I had more control of myself I would not be having. Just like any other surgery to correct a problem, if you do everything asked of you pre-op and post-op that's all you can do. Unforseen occurrences befall us all. Pray and let it go.

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?

Most of my friends were supportive. My family had mixed emotions. Once I allayed their fears my family understood and wished me well. I would not have changed my communication but I would have told fewer people. I find that my children are very supportive, my close friends are supportive and many others are jealous.

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

My supervisor seemed happy, just concerned at how long I would be away from work. I told her that since I had an enormous amount of sick leave I would be off about three weeks and I took three weeks off.

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

My stay in the hospital was ok. I had a television in my room and my husband was allowed to stay with me. I was in the hospital for about 8 hours. I did not need to bring anything. After surgery the dietician was there with liquids for me to drink before leaving.

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

I had no complications from surgery

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 and anxious. I talked to friends and a co-worker who had the surgery. I was assured I would be fine.

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

The first few weeks I had gas. Since I never have had gas before it worked my nerves. I was also constipated and afraid to take anything. We were told what to do so I finally did more than take the gas-x. I called the nurse practitioner she said I needed milk of magnesia. It worked. Suppositories did not. I felt better. The pain medicine helps but causes constipation, go figure.

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

I had to travel an hour and a half for my surgery. This did not affect my aftercare. Our group of 6 got close. I buddy up with one of the members that is on the way and it works for us.

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.

We received an extensive list of what to eat during the days, weeks and months following surgery. I have been able to tolerate everything I have been allowed to eat. Each doctors performs the surgery differently so it is probably up to that doctor what he wants you to eat and if he fills your band during surgery or after surgery in several increments.

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

I began to walk on the treadmill 30 minutes per day from the time I came home from surgery. I increased my speed on the tread mill gradually and continue to do so. I am at 3.0 as of this date.

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

I take liquid centrium daily. Also I drink a protein shake daily and drink protein water and eat at least one protein bar daily to take in the required amount of protein.

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 have not had any side effects from my surgery as yet. If I do I will ask questions to find out how to adjust what I'm doing.

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

Gas and constipation have been the worst.

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

I have access to the nurse practitioner who is extremely helpful. I have the phone numbers of several in the group of 6 who had surgery at the same time and I have support from a workmate and a friend who has had the surgery before me. This website has been helpful too. These things are very important to me.

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

The scar was no surprise. It was done laproscopic

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Too soon to have reached a plateau

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My personality dictates that people treat me as I treat them. I probably am avoided by people who would like to treat me badly so maybe I will see people approach me more when I have loss additional weight that would not have approached me before because of my weight.