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

I read about it in an article in USA Today from Nov 1999. I thought it was an answer from Heaven.

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

My dealings with my insurance company (Aetna US HealthCare HMO) was totally painless. They approved me the same day they received the request from my surgeon.

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

He made me feel comfortable, except for the fact he seemed to be in a hurry. Therefore I was a little intimidated asking too many questions. However, on the second meeting, he was excellent.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Nightmares involving me and my (7 yr old) daughter. In them, she and I get caught in some catastrophe and I need to rescue her. I am unable to, because I am so weak. So I have to drop her and watch her die a horrible death.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research

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 certainly hope I don't have serious complications, but I would feel that way about any major surgery. I try not to think about that, because that is out of my hands (by the same token, I don't want to get hit by a bus tomorrow, either. So I also don't think about that). As for dying from surgery, that does not scare me so much. My wife and I have talked at length about that possibility. All in all, I am absolutely ready to go !!! ( 8 more days !! )

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?

Everyone has been very supportive. They seem to be empathetic to how miserable I am. Update (Jan 18, 2001) now almost 5 months post-op: My family and friends are still very supportive and excited for me.

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

I only told them I was having abdomenal surgery. I was not forthcoming in the specific type of surgery. I am still pre-op. Update (Jan 18, 2001) now almost 5 months post-op: I was out of work for 6 weeks, but it was that long because I developed pneumonia during the third week post-op.

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

I didn't care for the hospital (Rancocas Valley Hospital). They did not have any private rooms (I was willing to pay the difference), and my roommates were horrible. The doctors and nurses were excellent. I was in for 4 days. The item I most needed was an electric fan (my surgery was in Aug).

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

On day 8, i exercised too strenuously and somehow dislodged one of the drainage tubes. From this, I developed an abcess around the tube, which made it painful to breathe deeply - so I stopped breathing the way I was supposed to. From this, I developed pneumonia. I spent 5 more days in the hospital. Upon release, I developed pleurisy, which allowed me spend another night in the hospital. I ended up being fine, but let me tell you, the oral medication for pneumonia is terrible !!!!!! May 2001: In mid-March, I had to have my Gall Bladder removed. My stomach is beginning to look like some kind of Chinese Character.

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 elated, and suprisingly calm. I quickly came to grips with the possible complications that might happen. I just decided to put my faith in my surgeon's hands (and his support staff).

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

My wife was invaluable during this time - I don't think I could have made it without her. We rented a hospital bed for the first month, and that also helped, but my wife deserves 90% of the praise for my recovery.

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

Dr Greenbaum's office (as well as the hospital) are about 40 minutes from my home.

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 followed Dr Greenbaum's "food schedule" for the first 5 weeks, but then began adventuring out on my own. Now (5 months post-op), I still haven't tried milk, yougurt, ice cream, etc. But I can eat most anything else. My "taste of foods" hasn't changed much. By the end of the 2nd month, I was pretty much on a "full diet". I mostly eat soups and chili. I also eat a lot of green salad, and prepared salads. I also get plenty of protein and liquids. May 2001: At 9 months post-op, I eat anything I want. I've even successfully re-introduced dairy products back into my diet.

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

For the first week, I was pretty tired. I had to force myself to get up and walk around. However, on day 8, I suddenly felt great. If I hadn't hurt myself that day, I still wonder if my "bad period" would have been over. Oh well, pneumonia knocked me on my butt between weeks 3-6. Then I began working again. Within 2-3 weeks, I felt very good, and have been feeling better ever since.

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

I take an excellent multi-vitamin supplement. I also take Calcium, Vit D, Magmesium, Zinc, Iron. I do not drink protein supplements.

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?

I've had no side effects from the surgery itself. My only problem was with the pneumonia medications. I don't dump, and I've only vomited once (from eating Chinese noodles too fast - it was on my 3rd bite).

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

Other than the pneumonia, my experience has been totally positive.

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

My surgeon has a support group meeting every other week. However, I have only been able to go to 3 of them - I work in NY City, and I can only attend on days I'm off of work. I also consider this site to be part of my aftercare plan. May 2001: I have now moved to Florida, and have not yet sought out another Surgeon and his/her aftercare program.

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

My scar looks like one rail of a railroad track. It doesn't bother me in the least.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

So far (knock on wood), I have been "plateau-less", but I'm still not yet 5 months post-op. May 2001: I am now almost 9 months post-op, and still have hit no plateaus. However, my weight loss has slowed considerably - this past month, I have lost only 5 pounds or so. I assume it will stop altogether soon. That's fine with me - I've accomplished all I was hoping for.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I feel people treat me no differently than before surgery. If people were treating me poorly before, it never entered my mind it might be because of my weight.