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

Web search. It took four months to be convinced that a. It is relatively safe. b. I thought I could be successful. c. That I wanted to change my life that much.

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

It was perfect, couldn't have been better.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am 53 yrs old, I want to see 70 yrs old and my grandchildren. Without the surgery, I firmly believe I probably wouldn't see either.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research on the web.

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 have had other surgeries and I am only concerned, not worried or fearful.

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

My employer was totally supportive. It is projected that I'll be out 8 weeks.

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

I was in a total of 4 days. Bring a small clip on fan, Hospitals are hot to begin with and being over weight and doped up, the fan was most important.

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

I was the poster child, no problems at all

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

Anxiety didn't exist, I was feeling so good and the pounds as well as the medications were dropping off rapidly.

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

Some soreness, but I never experienced nausea

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

Local Hospital

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 lost my taste for chicken and beer. My system wouldn't tolerate oatmeal, most cereals, dairy over 8oz, pasta and noodles. After 6 months, I got my taste back for chicken, but after 10 months, it fills me too quickly. I can now tolerate pasta and have learned to eat slower so than I do not over eat and stuff my pouch too full. That is extremely painful to endure. At one year, I am now eating normal meals, normal meaning what everyone should eat all along. This is in reality at least one-third of my pre-surgery amounts.

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

First days and weeks were extremely tiring. After 30 days, I started the vitamins and supplements, and the monthly B-12 shot. That is when my energy level started to go sky high. Prior to surgery, I could not walk 1/2 mile. 45 days post op, I walked almost two miles in one day. I was beat, but it was a good feeling.

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

2 Centrums 2 Prescription Iron Capsules 2 Vitamin A-D 1500 MG Calcium Prescription Potassium Monthly B-12 shots

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?

Only occasional dumping, when I wasn't good.

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

The six months of concern while I researched and made my decision.

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

My surgeon does have group meetings on a monthly basis. I have only attended one. Not important to me.

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

Scar started at 12 inches, now it is less that 8 inches. Doesn't have to go out and around a huge belly any more. It has faded considerably.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

No true plateaus, I had two months were I either lost or gaine 2 lbs, I believe both of those were due to fluid retention in my legs, which due to my lymph system being shot from the years of obesity.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Actually, I have. It is suttle ways that are not very obvious, but none the less are there. Strangers give you more attention, and relatives and acquaintances who where not part of your core circle, are much more attentive.