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

several co workers had had lap band but they were struggling, a good friend came to visit, several years ago he weighed 399, on the recent visit, he was 175, we talked at length, and convinced me it was the way to go and live longer. my PCP and discussed it at length and I started the process

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

United health care has been been very supportive, has had their nursing counselors call several times, the approval process was smooth and hassle free

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

first meeting was very informative, and you need to do research

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

overall research, and the ability to live another 30 years with it, vs. not having it. also financially looking at all the RX's before and after, they operation iwll pay for itself in 12 mos

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

success rate

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?

alot, more medical mistakes kill people in the hospital than gang violence. but choosing the doctor, and doing your own research goes along way

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?

was accepted, some not understood, by the main spousal support has been key

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

didnt tell them, did take short term disability, paid, will be out 9 -10 weeks, as employer wants 100%

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

enjoyed it because it was great information

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

hospital intake was very good, care at the hospital marginal, they were short staffed and the first night nurse didnt understand Dr, instructions, I had to sober up to make it clear.

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

other being severely uncomfortable and loss of motion for while, pain on the left side 2 weeks later is still an issue

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

there wasnt much support and i almost chickened out the day of surgery

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

huge adjustment to not being able to sleep laying down on the left side being sick feeling, the first few weeks at home I asked, "why did I do this?!"

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

60 miles, aftercare not an issue

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.

eating and food as known before surgery will change drastically, the relationship with food is over, its for nourisment only and not entertainment

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

walk to get the mail

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

calcium, multi vitamins, b-12

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?

2weeks later nausea sleep deprivation and limited physical activity are still an issue

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

the hospital

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

support group at the hospital is very good and very necesary

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

6 scars and very ugly

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no