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

my doctor told me about it. I went and saw a presentation and thought, "Yeah, this is it!" Seemed like a miracle cure to me. Of course, as I began to investigate more, I found out a lot of things that made me question and hesitate, and in fact scared me. I worried that I would be so limited in what I could eat that life wouldn't be very pleasant. Let's face it, I had a love affair with food, and I was considering "murdering" my love.

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

I had absolutely no problems. However, I know that has changed as many carriers are no longer allowing the proceedure. In fact, my case was one of the last for my insurer. I just made it in under the deadline (January 05, 2004).

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

OK, I don't really remember much about it other than I wasn't really that impressed with him, even though he had an excellent reputation. Probably had to do more with my own anxiety than anything he did or didn't do. I felt like I was well prepared. My insurer made everyone in our plan do a 6 month bit with a dietician and see a shrink. By the time I saw the surgeon I felt like a had a pretty could handle on things. But at the same time, I really felt ignorant of what I ought to ask. I guess I would recommend that you take enough time to really think out what you want to know. Write it down and soak the doc for every bit of info you have any curiosity about

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I hated where I was at so much, felt I had no real quality of life, and frankly was afraid that if I didn't do something radical, I was going to die anyway. I have 3 kids, from 17 to 9; at the time I was 44, and I was afraid I wouldn't live to see my youngest graduate High School, and even if I did live, that I wouldn't be able to participate in his life in the things that I thought were important

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted something that I would have to commit to totally, no turning back, very difficult to cheat on. I knew myself, so I wanted something that would be for keeps, not something that could be easily reversed. I thought that would just land me back in the same place I started

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?

Honestly, I wasn't that fearful. Like I said, I felt like I wouldn't live long at the rate I was going. And realistically, the rates for problems and/or death as a result of this proceedure seemed quite low when compared to surgical procedures for other serious health problems (heart surgery, stroke, etc.) Basically, I think you have to look at where you're at now and ask yourself what the risks are "as is" compared to the possibility of what might happen via surgery. I knew my wieght was going to kill me; the surgery was providing me a much greater possibility for a greater quality of life, even with the possible risks and side affects

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?

pre-op: most people were against it. They were afraid for me, and to tell the truth, I delayed getting the surgery for about 6 months because of the fears of people I cared about. In fact, only my wife supported my decision from beginning to end. I actually had people telling me it was wrong--not just a bad or risky idea, but morally wrong. post-op: to a person, every one has cofessed that they were not only wrong but that it was the best decision I could have made.

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

Fine. I didn't tell them why I was having surgery, just that I was, and that it would necessitate being out for about a month. As it turned out, I was back to work in 2 weeks

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

They treated me great---and I hated every minute of it! I had never been in the hospital before, so I wasn't sure what to expect: boredom! Most important to bring? A friend! I was drugged up and couldn't read. I was in pain and sore, so I couldn't do a lot for myself. I needed a companion and a helper.

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?

I prayed---a lot. I went back and forth about whether I would actually do it. I kept reminding myself that things "could" be worse, but not likely.

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

you can't eat much at all, but that's OK, you really don't want to. You will be sore and have a hard time moving around. My recommendation: don't give in to your body's complaints. Do as much as you can. I walked six times a day, not far mind you---at first about the length of a football field---but I was faithful. I also didn't overdo with the food. I followed my doctor's orders very strictly: broth and jello the first 10 days, then allowed one egg per day for the next 10 days. From the front side, this may seem an extremely small amount of food, but I promise, it is more than enough, and I couldn't always finish what I had.

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

75 miles. Worse part was the drive home, but even that not too bad, given the heavy medication for pain.

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.

***Caution!!! This is long*** Shared some of this earlier. Basically, I cut out sugar and carbs from my diet for the first six months. Those things were strictly taboo. Regarding those things, My tolerance for them slowly increased over time---I can have SOME sugar, and SOME carbs (rice, potatoes). I can taste the desserts and sample the casseroles, but if I eat more that a couple of bites, I feel badly and get overly full, painfully full. Apparently, noodles, rice and breads swell when they mix with stomach fluids and it can prove quite uncomfortable. The great thing is, you really do lose your taste for many of these things. I don't WANT sweets, other than things that are less so than others (I like Jujy fruits, a gelatin-like candy that helps when I really want a bad snack.) I never eat bread anymore; I just don't care for it (although I do like the occasional cookie). Never eat chocolate: it's too sweet, and I just don't like it now. I'm one year post-op now, and I feel like I can have whatever I want, within moderation. But truly, my food preferences have changed. I should mention about meat, since I eat a lot of it. I started with an egg. After a couple of weeks, I added tuna and then some other fish. About three weeks later, I added chicken, and then started working in beef after another month or so. The deal with meat is that it has to be cooked right, and by that I mean not overdone, but not too rare. If its not tender it can make you vomit. Chicken--now my favorite--is particularly tough to swallow (no pun intended) if its too dry, and it will still make me throw up.

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

1st 2 weeks--walked 6 times daily, starting with 100 yards and working up to 1/4 mile. After the 1st month, 1 mile. Added a 1/4 per week until I was up to 5 miles a day. Did this for 6 months. Now, I jog about three miles a shot, 2-3 times per week. 2-3 times per week I do aerobics and weight training, and I play golf 1-2 per week. Needless to say, this was impossible one year ago.

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

I take a couple of one a day vitamins every day. I'm supposed to take iron once a week and calcium every day, but I don't. So far, so good.

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---yes some, but a worthwhile trade. nausea---yep, still get it if I eat too much or too much sweets. I deal with it by resting, or even by walking it off. What ever I do, I must stop eating immediately sleep disturbance---no! I had sleep apnea before, had to have a CPAP machine. That went away by the third month. dumping---see nausea. This is not as bad any more; just enough to remind me that I need to watch it

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

for me, hospital recovery. The longest 3 days of my life. Everything else was down hill

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

none. I admit though, that at this point, one year out, I am interested in a group just to have some folks to talk to who understand me and my experience. Sometimes I think people get tired of hearing about what I'm going through. It's just that its still so amazing---almost miraculous---to me. So I'm considering going to a few group meetings this next year.

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

almost invisible

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The first 50 pounds---then 100---then 150---now 175. When I hit -200, that will be the coolest.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

so totally different, almost indescribable