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

A friends wife had had the surgery done five years ago. She had a few complications (like dehydration) but she is doing great now. I looked it up on the web. I found a seminar that was being held at one of our local hospitals and I attended it.

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

There is an insurance coordinator at the bariatric center. She did everything. I was lucky.

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

Learn as much as you can before you go. Write down any questions that you have before you go to see him. Take whatever advice he gives you to heart and follow exactly what he tell you to do.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to be healthy. I had been on high blood pressure medicine for over 5 years, and I am not even 50 yet. Having the surgery and losing weight would help me get healthy again.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I attended a seminar in which different types of procedures were explained. I actually had been leaning toward having the lapband...but ended up with the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass - laparoscopic.

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?

The odds were pretty much in my favor, I did not have as many health problems as a lot of patients. I knew I had to do this. I was more afraid of being obese for the rest of life than I was of having the surgery.

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?

Bless my family and friends hearts...they didn't seem to think that I needed to have this done. They (of course) loved me like I was. I did explain everything to them and they were very supportive before and after the surgery.

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

My boss is one of a kind! He was very happy for me. I was out of work for two weeks.

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

The stay in the hospital was wonderful. I was there for one night. I brought my ByPap machine, and I guess you should bring any other equipment you would need.

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

I was very blessed...I had no complications 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?

I was excited to get my surgery date. I was a little anxious about the surgery, but I was totally confident all would go well.

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

Knowing that dehydration is a big thing, I was worried about getting enough fluids. You also need to be careful...no lifting, pulling, etc. Just be sure to follow your going home instructions.

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

Did not have to travel far.

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.

Nothing fried, nothing with more than 8 grams of sugar, nothing spicy, and no beef (yet). I have been able to add cashews and cheese to the soup, cottage cheese, applesauce, baked potatoes, and crackers. I keep trying new things everyday.

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

I tried to go out and walk everyday.

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

Multi=Vitamin with Iron, Sugar Free Tums, Pepcid AC, Vitamin D, Vitamin B-12 and I have just started taking Zinc and Biotin.

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 have been very lucky. I have had no nausea, and I have vomitted and had dumping only a couple of times. I have just recently (in the 5th month) started having a lot of hair loss. I have started taking Zinc and Biotin.

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

It seemed like it took forever to get a surgery date (even though I knew it was necessary to do everything that needed to be done before the surgery). I have no complaints about the process.

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

I have not joined a support group or program, but I am glad to know that I have the option to attend one if I would like to. There are a couple of people at work who had the surgery and I ask them lots of questions.

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

The surgery was done laprascopically, so I just have tiny little "holes".

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not hit a plateau yet...just started slowing down.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No.