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

I have known about bariatric surgery for sometime but never considered it an option for me until recently. One day, I was browsing the internet looking for some "magic bullet" diet that would be easy to follow and provide 100% success when I came across the obesityhelp.com website. I began reading the information they provide and discovered that insurance will cover the surgery if it is medically warranted. At first I was scared of the proceedure. My sister-in-law told me her brother, who is an anesthesiologist did not advice it. She told me a horror story about a her brother having a patient die during the surgery. However, what she told me did not match what patients wrote about their experiences on obesityhelp.com. I was determined to investigate for myself and discover the pros and cons of the surgery.

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

I have Principal PPO insurance. My BMI was 41. I have hypertension and arthritis. It took about one week to get approval from my insurance company.

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

My first visit with Dr. James A. Davidson was very informative. His staff and Dr. Davidson presented very balanced information of the pros and cons of the surgery. Before going to the first appointment I did a lot of research. I learned about the possible complications and the side effects of the surgery. This allowed me to ask informed questions, and to know that Dr. Davidson was giving me a realistic view of the benefits and risks of the surgery. I was impressed with the emphasis Dr. Davidson places on followup. He has a madatory three year post-op followup program that focuses on nutrition and fitness.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I realized that I had to do something to bring my blood pressure down and that drugs were not working. I realized that obesity was in the proccess of killing me. I feared dying from a stroke or heart attack, or worse, becoming an invalid. I also finally admitted to myself that if I didn't have the surgery I would remain obese, that I was unable to lose weight without some extreme measure on my part. I felt a gastric bypass was my only option if I wanted to live to a normal old age and have a decent quality of life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

At first, I was attracted to the duadenal swicth, but was told I did not need such a radical proceedure. That left the RNY. I knew I wanted laproscopic surgery whatever proceedure I have, as the recovery time is faster and potential for complications is less.

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 was concerned about the anesthetic. In previous surgeries I have had grouble waking up from the anesthetic and my blood pressure has remained low for a few days after surgery. I was afraid being under for so long might cause me to have heart failure. What I would say to others who fear complications or death I would say you must make this decision for yourself. Learn all you can about possible complications and ask your doctor to explain what he/she will do to prevent the complications. Then, pray for guidance as to what the Lord wants you to do.

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

I am retired on medical disability so I don't have an employer. If I workded, I think I could have gone back to work within a week after the surgery.

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

I had laproscopic surgery. 11 months post op I don't have any scars

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I experienced steady weight loss until I lost 122lbs, down to 198, 2 lbs below my goal weight. My weight then stablized and I now have a 1-3lbs "fluctuation" bewtween 197 and 200lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

The reaction from longtime friends and acquaintances varies. Most are very supportive. A few remain critical of the decision. They tend to ask me the same questions about how I feel. I have taken to turning the question back on them. I tell them my energy level ise what it was twenty years ago. I then ask them if they can say the same. It generally stops their criticism.