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

Word of mouth. Didn't really scare me (and still doesn't). Then my sleep apnea dr said that I may need it so I pursued it. Seemed and seems like a relatively easy and simple operation. But hey, I am no doctor.

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

Be patient. Although, I only had to wait two weeks. It still feels like a lifetime when you are waiting on something where the outcome is so huge. Be patient.

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

Go in prepared with questions and any "urban legends" that you may have heard that you are concerned about. The doctor is there for YOU, so don't feel like you are wasting their time. If you don't get "issues" resolved, you may end up scaring yourself out of the surgery. My visit went great and I could not have been happier with the office staff and surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Life expectancy mixed with reading other peoples stories about wls. Not that I was given three years to live or anything, but when you take into account, the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and all the other weight related issues that effect obese people....Surgery makes good sense.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I was reffered to dr. and that is the only one he does.

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?

I am a pretty happy go lucky kind of guy (guess that is why I am so big). But anyway, I am only slightly worried about complications post op with incisions and so forth. I am comfortable with my surgeon and the hospital, so I feel like I will be in good hands. Literally.

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?

Wife is a little concerned. Maybe more than she lets on. My obese sister and brother in-law seem to be fine with it.(although they wish it were them getting wls). My other sisters seem to be pretty supportive about it. My parents and brother are a little skeptical and even though my mom has gone on EVERY diet, she seems like maybe there is another alternative to surgery.

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

I never did tell my boss about my decision to have surgery until he called me the day before surgery. I was out of work previous to surgery due to a back injury. The only person that was informed of my surgery on my employers side was my disability contact. I had to call them to let them know that I would be out of work for a different reason so that I would be paid under a different pay code. I was out of work for six weeks.

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

Hospital stay was "ok". Nursing staff seemed to almost be bothered by me when I needed something, which was not too often. I was in the hospital for two days. I would strongly recommend taking a fan, books, magazines or puzzle books, a cough pillow and chapstick.

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

Just pain. Lots of pain meds. I recently developed an ulcer due to anti-inflammatory medication that my back doctor prescribed. I had to go back in the hospital and get "scoped". Since having that done, I have been taking medications to heal that and have not had any problems since then. I am eating normal again and am feeling great.

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 pretty relaxed. I had a lot of family support so I did not feel real scared or anxious. I had waited for nearly eight months so a few more weeks was a "cake walk". The days leading up to surgery, I started feeling a little more emotional and had to talk with my wife about my feelings and concerns.

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

I had a lot of pain when trying to get up and trying to get down. Going to the bathroom was also a chore. I mostly layed in bed watching tv and doing word searches. People should remember that they just had major surgery and not to push themselves to do anything that they know they shouldn't. Also, people should know that they need at least one person in the house with them at all times. They will need help doing everything. Eating, bathing and going to the bathroom are only a fraction of the things that will need assistance.

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

I traveled about 50 miles west to the hospital. And I travel about 60 miles northwest to my doctors office. I don't mind the drive because I know that I have the best doctor in the Cincinnati area. I live in a very rural area.

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 not had any "real" problems with eating anything in particular. 1st month was pureed foods, meaning anything you eat goes in a blender 1st. 2nd month is soft foods. Mostly ate yogurt, pudding, cottage cheese and mashed potatoes. The only foods that are off limits are anything with sugar and (funny enough) sugar free candy. The only differences I have really noticed this far is how much I am able to eat and the types of food that I introduce. Like I said, I have not had any "real" issues with any particular type of food.

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

Pretty low. I was mainly focusing on healing and not pushing myself and causing any kind of problems for myself. Second week I was able to drive myself to appoinments and do light housework. Fourth week, I was just about back to normal.

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

2 Flintstone vitamins a day. 4 Tums tablets per day. Protein powders.

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?

Dumpimg has to be the absolute worst. I did not experience this until about the 5th week. I have had some minor vomiting spells, but it was due to me drinking water after I was done eating. Coping with dumping? Just have to wait until it is all done. LOL. As far as vomiting... Just kept vomiting until all the water was out of my pouch. Usually just a couple of "vomits" and then I am done.

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

The wait. But psychologically, knowing that I cannot have a huge meal at an all you can eat buffet. That is what I really miss the most. Even though that is what put me in the situation to were I needed the surgery in the first place.

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

Aftercare is scheduled every month or every other month. Support groups? My doctors office has a big support group every month and I go to a support group that is a lot closer to me that has meetings every Friday. Support groups are a must. If you have any problems and/or concerns, there are people who may have had the same issues that you are going through or that you are concerned about. You must go to support groups.

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

I have six minor scars. Some of them are not really noticeable. When I show people there reactions are always the same. "Is that it?" Yes, this is what I expected. I am glad that I did not have to get the "open" surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Have not experienced any plateaus as of yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really. Everyone just has lots of questions and good things to say.