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

My niece and her friend who had the surgery provided me WLS website. Was very impressed with other members comments and pictures.

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

I have Kaiser Permanente, they were great. They put you through a 6-8 month behaviorial health, nutritionist and make sure you are informed very well before you have the surgery. Was approved in just 3 weeks after my doctor forwarded the final documentation to the Medical Board.

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

Dr. Macik, is kinda shy, he was very imformative and caring. After approval and his first consultation, I had my surgery done in less than 3 weeks. Oct 14, 04. He came by to see me and advised that I was doing fine and now was on the other side.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Because of other health issues I have, I really had no choice but to have the surgery. I'm 50 years old with the strength of an 89 year old. Need to make some changes for a better quality of life as I get older.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

With consultation from my doctors, I had the laproscopic rny done. It was the best way for me to go. This type of surgery will help me keep the weight off.

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?

None!

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?

Very supportative.

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

Very Supportative. Was out of work only 1 week after surgery.

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

Northside Hospital was great. Was admitted Oct 14 and went home Oct 16, 04. The staff were great, made sure I was comfortable and if I needed anything or help they were there for me.

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

None!

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

Have no anxiety from the surgery. Feeling good.

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

Only out of work for 1 week, got bored at home and was ready to return to work.

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

I was 50 miles away from the hospital. Have no problem seeing my doctor, he just a drive away.

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 am only out 6 weeks since surgery. Still on mostly lite food, chicken, salmon, fish, shrimp, spinach salads.

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

Walk 3 days a week and go to the gym twice a week.

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

still on baby vitamins.

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?

Have some nausia, no vomiting from time to time.

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

None.

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

There is a suport group in Jonesboro I go to monthly. They are great.

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

My surgery was lapsocopy so I only have 4 little incisions.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

They say I am melting away.