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

I knew about bariatric surgery about three years before I decided to pursue it. I saw how it changed the lives of Al Rowker and Randy Jackson

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

My stay at Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, CA was great. The nurses were very attentive and they showed that they cared a lot. I was in the hospital for four days.

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

No complications at all. On the first day, I was already walking without problems and by the second day I couldn't wait to experience my new life. Dr. Kieturakis and Dr. Burke made sure that they did their job well and they did.

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 relieved and excited. I immediately started exercising and becoming more active. My appetite for protein was low and I always craved fruit. No anxieties.

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

My first few weeks you tend to get a little tired more than usual and I didn't really look forward to eating because I felt a little nauseated and sick to my stomach after I ate but Gas-X will do the trick.

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

Not far just local within 50 miles.

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 had problems with peanut butter, fried foods and foods with sour sauces. Bread and carb foods were off limits to me. As weeks passed my appetite began to increase and I had to control my cravings even though I was snacking on fruit.

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

I would say moderate at first and then I began to resume my sport hobby of bowling but I had to wait longer to return to martial arts because of the physical demand of the sport.

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

Multi-Vitamin, Iron,(Bariatric Advantage) Calcium citrate, Sublingual B-12 ( Trader Joe's)

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?

Nausea and vomiting were the worst but after a few weeks they were under control after learning the limits of my new stomach pouch and what it could tolerate.

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

My Bariatric Coordinator at Sequoia Hospital has setup a rehb center where we have full use of the facilities to rehab our bodies. There are trained personnel on hand in case of an emergency.

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

Actually, the scar is smaller than what I expected even for a laprascopic procedure.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet.....

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My friends notice the change but they have always treated me the same..with love and kindness....I have noticed that a lot more women seem to turn their heads and give me a second look which makes my wife laugh and tell me that she may need to put me on a leash.....