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

I had a friend who had one of the first lap band surgeries in the Houston area and became interested.

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

The people at Nuweigh were wonderful! I had changed my insurance the year before as I was anticipating having the surgery and picked a plan that would cover. After the initial turn down I was approved and had surgery very soon.

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

This was a very informative meeting and I liked Dr. J from the beginning.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

A friend.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Advice of Dr. J. Also, I avoided the lap band because I was a big sweet eater and wanted something that would keep me from eating sugars.

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?

Pretty scared of dying. My daughter is going to have the surgery in a few months. While, as a mother, I am very afraid of complications, I think the benefits far outweigh the small risk.

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?

They were supportive but afraid. After the surgery they are so excited for me.

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

I am retired.

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

Unfortunately, I had complications due to a condition I was unaware of. I had to stay a little longer on a respirator. I really don't remember anything about my stay!

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

Dr. J called in a pulmonary specialist and he was wonderful. He stayed right beside me for a full day montoring me. Fortunately, I fully recovered.

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 hurt quite a bt for a couple of weeks but not unbearable. The worst thing was having to crush my medicine and it took about 20 minutes for me to take it all.

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

My husband waited on me hand and foot and I really enjoyed that (especially since he was quite ill for about 18 months previously and I had to take care of him)! I would advise people to WALK WALK WALK and all the other times just take it easy and slow.

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

It took about 30 minutes to get to the hospital. The aftercare is about an hour from my home. Right after I got up and around I became caretaker for an invalid mother-in-law so I haven't been able to participate in the aftercare. I really wish I could and encourage everyone else to stick with it.

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 have been able to eat most anything with the exception of chicken and sugars. For some reason, I can tolerate beef and pork but throw chicken up. I ate a little bit of sugar-free ice cream at first but got nauseated one day and haven't wanted any since.

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

Pretty limited except for walking.

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

B-12, Vita balls, calcium chews.

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?

Some vomiting, a few dumping episodes. Really, nothing bad.

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

The pain and being on the respirator.

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

Really none.

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

I have five little scars but they don't bother me in the least - they remind me of how much better off I am!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I initially lost about 20 pounds the first couple of months. Now, I loose about 2 pounds a week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are a lot nicer - that kinda hurts because I'm the same person I was.