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

Seen it on TV, I really wanted the surgery after seeing the before and after pic's

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

I had so many medical problems like HBP,sleepapna,suger over 300,2 h-disk in lower back, doc wanted to do surgery on my back but I was to big, he told the insurance people that I need the bypass before he can work on my back, my insurance could'ent turn me down. please dont give up thay will pay.

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

My first visit was great, we talked about the surgery, will I live or die on the op-table, I had a list wrote down on paper of what to ask him before my visit, came in handy cause we do forget.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My heart and body was about to give up, Its a feeling I wish on no one, really heard to talk about. "sorry"

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr.Sapala decided what proceedure was best for me. He did a great job. Thanks!!

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?

You know that you body needs to recover, everybodys diff-ent, it took me about a year to start feeling better, I had alot of pain,lite headed,nausea, Its been 17mos now, and I really feel great, now I just need to deal with the mind part of it. Some times I feel like I'm gaining the pounds back, I look at my self as still being fat but I'm not. I need to work on this alot.

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?

There so happy with the way I look and feel now, my mom still nags about things like, did you eat today, you feel ok, your losing to much, better go see the doc, "but you know moms".

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

My stay was fine,3 days in,I took books and handheld game.

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

No complications.

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 in bed most of the time, alot of pain, wife helped turn me over from side to side, very sick, and wishing i'd never done this ( back then) alots of anxiety too.

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

My surgery was in Detroit Mich, 1/2 hour away

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 couldent eat a thing, mostly soups,gelo,chicken broff, In the mos following I couldent hold anything down. it was like eating rocks, thats how it felt inside. youll know when you eat to much.

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

After 3mos I was walking,swiming,bikeriding,mowing the lawn,My actvity levels jumped 100%.

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

I take a one aday vitamin every day

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?

Hair loss not to bad, 6mos of nausia and vomiting, sleeping got better every day. The nausia was the worse for me, I would eat something and 5min later I'd run to my bed and lie down for 1/2 hour, then I'd be good as new.

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

I had no support from any one, just my mom and wife.

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

cant really see ny scar. I have no problem with the way it looks.