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

From my primary care physician. I thought that I could lose the weight myself. I am so happy that it is an option.

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

I worked from 12/02 till I finally got approvally on 10/01/2003. It wasn't easy but it was doable. Advice........pretend your a bulldog and you haven't eaten for a week and you find a bone but there are 3 other dogs around.....hold on to that bone and fight till you win.

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

Haven't actually met the surgeon, but my informational meeting was good and informative.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I turned 46 and I once had a life and I thought it was time to reclaim it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I looked at which procedure maximized the weight loss potential. Chance of complications also was a factor but that much of one.

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?

Risk is inheirit in anything we do. I would be less then human if I said I wasn't a little scared....but when I thought about it what really scared me was what my life would be like if I didn't have the surgery.

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?

My mom doesn't like it too much.......I think she is just scared. My wife is scared also but supportive. My sister's are also supportive...and quite frankly I don't care about anyone else.

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

Since I have been on disability since 1996 I haven't worked.......that is something that I looked forward to very much.

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

Went in on Friday Morning, 2/13/04 was released on 2/14/04. Some of the nurses weren't exactly the most friendly or caring but I wasn't there for their company. I was there for me and to get my life back.

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

None whatsoever!

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

talked with my family. I had a year to prepare myself for surgery so I was ready.....not much in the way of nerves.

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

I guess I was lucky, I didn't experience many problems at all. At least none that I wasn't expecting. It took about 5 days before I ate my first solid food...eggs and grits. Everyone is different so I really can only speak for me. Some will have problems some won't

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

90 miles. I had my wife and faily with me aftercare was not a problem

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 pretty much been able to eat whatever I want. Just the amounts have changed. I do have to be careful about sugars. I stay away from breads, I don't eat alot of salads but other then that I eat what I want

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

I was very anxious to get back in the gym, I wanted 10 days and went back. I lift weights and swim but the first 2 weeks after I went back to the gym all i did was swim now 6 months post-opt I do all that I did before the surgery

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

I started with a multivitamin and calicum supplement and a sublingual b-12 but since my last blood test all my levels are fine so I don't take supplements now except for protein powder.

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?

haven't had any save for the couple of times I was stupid and took in too much sugar

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

My wife is a very good cook and so am I....the worst part is the inability to have more of the things i really enjoy.

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

None. I was very motivated before the surgery and I continue to be my own biggest cheerleader.

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

I had laproscopic surgery and the scars are very small. I thought they would of been bigger

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none so far

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really, but I was a very confident person before the surgery, I was fat yes but i could do anything anyone else could do the truth is had i not lost my mobility I would of been fine being fat