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

Media, I was interested right away

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

Self pay. My BMI only 31.5 I think my insurance should have paid at least some. This has greatly improved my health.

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

I stayed after official presentation and asked a couple of questions to a staffer. She then brought the doctor in to the conversation. This personal contact/care was critical to me moving forward with this surgical group.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Nothing to loose but the weight and the $. I was tired of being fat and figured anything was better.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Really only band made sense for me.

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?

To me greatest fear was -What if this failed too? Dying...well, at least I was trying!

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?

Told only immediate family at first. A couple of friends found out right before and that was good to have their support. A few medical proffessionals also recognized my name on the or list but kept quiet, yet admitted to knowing to me only - everybody supportive - some shocked I did not "tell them"... Now the word is out - I have to try not to smile/laugh when people now corner me away from others to "talk"... I know they want Lap Band info for themselves now!

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

One night. Really needed nothing but my Chap-Stick and flip flops

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?

More sore than I thought I would be. Did worry "What have I done?" But I was loosing.

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

sore, pretty tired

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

1 Mile!!!

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.

Best food post-op ended up being mashed potatoes with extra gravy from Chicken Express.

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

Slow

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

Not really any but multi when I remember.

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?

have spitting up issues, hair loss the worse - really tring to take advantage of my current break from loosing to get that to stop. Now 6 mos post op.

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

I miss pancakes!

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

Is a program. I do think it is important. Nice to know it is there. I do feel a bit guilty going since my bmi is lower than most. As program grows, I hope they add a lower sub-group

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

Scar was larger than I expected, but after 6 mos is a non issue. My port does stick out some, but I consider my scar and my bump "my badge of honor"

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not lost more than 2-5 lbs since June 1. I could go in any time for a fill, but think this is a good time to enjoy the loss I have and let my body rest/recover before working on the last 20 lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I am beginning to actually feel like I am okay.