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

I saw an ad in the Sunday newspaper for Capital Surgeons Associates for obesity surgery. I made the call the next day and faxed the information requested to their office same day.I had never even heard of or considered bariatric surgery until a few women at work had undergone surgery and I saw what good results they had had. My Primary Dr and my Orthopedic surgeon told me I had to lose weight immediately. Of course easier said than done.

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

My first appointment with the surgeon was on Feb 12,2003. The Dr told me that their insurance person would be writing the letter needed for the insurance company. The office called me back on Mar 20 to let me know that the insurance company had approved the surgery and set up another appointment for me to meet with the Dr on March 31.

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

My first visit with my surgeon,Dr Nancy Marquez,was very informative. She showed me the lap band and how it was done. She gave me some brochures also to look at as well as a website. Ask as many questions as you can at the first meeting and get to know the surgeon. I have nothing but good things to say about Dr Marquez.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had total knee replacement done Sept 24,2002 because of a couple of falls I had had last year. On the 4th day after the surgery,while still in the hospital undergoing Physical Therapy I fell down the stairs they were trying to get me to climb even though I had told them I was petrified of stairs and steps because of my previous falls. I did not have to have additional surgery but the healing was not going as planned. I underwent PT from Oct to Jan 2003 and was doing somewhat better but my insurance company refused to approve any more therapy.My orthopedic surgeon as well as my Primary Care Dr told me I needed to lose weight immediately if I wanted my knee to heal correctly. Even dieting and exercise did not help me lose any. Thats when I saw the ad in the paper and made my decision at that point.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Reading everything I could get my hands on and surfing the Internet looking for information on gastric bypass vs the gastric band surgery,I decided that the lap band surgery was the safest procedure.Also some women where I worked had had the RNY surgery,2 of them had no problems at all but 1 had all kinds of problems and even said if she had it to do over again she wouldn't go through that. I liked the idea that the lap band procedure is reversible if necessary and adjustments can be made without having additional surgery.

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 personally did not have any of these fears even when my Primary Dr told me that I could die,but so had the obesity surgeron. My Primary Dr told me that I might not lose any weight at all and that I needed to consider 5 years from now what I expected. I would tell other people to read as much as they can on the procedure and ask questions of friends,relatives,etc. Find a support group to ask questions and see what others have been through after the surgery.

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 friends have all been very supportive of my decision and they are still supporting me and praising me for every pound I lose. At first I didn't tell very many people that I was considering the surgery because I wasn't even sure if I would qualify until I got to see the surgeon. I would not have communicated anything any differently if I could now.

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

My supervisor was very supportive of my decision. Fortunately I retired from my job before the surgery was even scheduled. If I had still been working I feel like I could have gone back to work the next week after surgery.

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

My hospital stay was very pleasant. I went in on Tuesday morning and my surgery was at 10:30. I awoke in recovery about 12:45.They did not have a room ready for me until about 5:30. They said it was because they were busier than they expected. Be sure and bring a change of clothes and something to read. I was not able to change out of the hospital gown because of the IV in my arm. I did not sleep more than 1 hour the whole nite because I was up about every hour going to the restroom. I had to wait the next morning until almost 9AM for them to come get me to take me for another swallow test (thank heavens it wasn't the barium swallow) to make sure I had no leaks. Shortly after getting back to the room the surgeon came and released me that morning.

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

I personally did not have any complications at all from the surgeon. I was given pain medication as needed. The worst pain for me from the laproscopy was where the incision was done to hold the liver up during the surgery so they could work on the stomach. I was given a prescription for liquid vicodin for home. I used it the first and second day after surgery and did not need it after that.

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 felt so much better after the surgery.I had energy that I had not had in years. The pain from my knee was much better within the week after surgery and a lot of the swelling had also gone down. I am now able to sit and stand for longer periods of time that I was able to prior to surgery.

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

Personally I felt great after the surgery since I did not have any complications. The restricted diet was kind of difficult because all the liquids I liked all had the wrong kind of sweetening so I had to keep going out to buy liquids that I could have. I do not like Slim Fast or any of the protein drinks so that was hard to deal with. It's extremely important that you check labels on everything before you buy it. Follow the post-op diet as closely as you possibly can.

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

I did not have to travel for my surgery. I think I could have driven myself home if not for the pain meds I had been given in the hospital.

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 not have any liquids with high fructose content,honey,lemonades and fizzy drinks. The first 1 to 4 weeks is to be a liquid diet which took a lot of changes on my part to deal with. My list showed coffee,tea,fruit juice. Vegetable stock and vegetable juices. Crystal light,nutrasweet koolaid. Clear broth or Lipton soup bags.Skim milk,sugar free jello,well blended mashed potatoes. I could not have any carbonated drinks for 2 weeks.No milkshakes or high calorie drinks.I was allowed to have soft foods for 4-6 weeks which include eggs,creamier soups,soft fruit,cooked vegetables & fish.Soft pasta,toast or crackers and baby food. I have experimented with different dishes and eating out and have not had any problems at all

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

I was very active in the days and weeks after my surgery.From the moment after surgery I was up and walking around. I have started walking very little each day,trying to build up to longer walks.

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

The only supplement I am taking is One A Day Weight Smart. I found out about 2 days before my surgery that my thyroid was not working correctly so my Primary Dr prescribed synthroid for me to take. I think that also helped my activity level and weight loss. I just had bloodwork drawn last week after taking the synthroid for 1 month and my cholesterol and triglycerides have dropped to 1/2 of what they were. My thyroid level is much better too.

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 did not have any problems with nausea,vomiting,sleep disturbance,dumping or hair loss.

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

This is the only support group I have found so far.

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

The only scar that really shows is the one in the middle of my abdomen.The other small ones are barely noticeable. Wasn't sure what to expect but I have no complaints.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The 2nd week after surgery it seemed as though I had reached a plateau and wasn't losing any weight at all. After the 2nd week and before the 3rd week I lost another 5 lbs.I am into my 4th week now and I seemed to have gained back about 3 lbs.Not sure what I am doing wrong.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have not noticed any different treatment by anyone yet.