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

Got a message in my E-mail from a friend.

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

HMO are terrible and they only treat you as if you are a number, non-sensitive. Doctors, Nurses and dieticians not well informed and need to read this site. (Kaiser Vallejo, CA)

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

After reading the posting of this site for six months I was quite aware of what she had to say and was not in the dark. Was much like the experiences of most. I was surprised that she did not try to talk me out of it like some of the doctors have tried. Kaiser Vallejo not well informed and lack helpfulness. VA in SF helped me and approved my surgery I am a Vetnam Vet.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

over 60 bmi 500lbs and dying

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Doctor decided

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 am now post op 2 weeks I feel there is real hope I have lost 50 lbs and look forward to be normal. I am not 6 MO post op and have lost over 140lbs it's working. Not at full energy level and some arthritis, but improving daily. Statis Leg ulcers have disappeared. clothes are very baggy.

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?

Wife is very supportive she belives the risk is worth she feels my pain.

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

Have told no one yet. Going to say I am having my gallblatter removed which is true. As I am losing I am telling people of the procedure, but feel defensive. I will know better when I am in the 200 lb range.

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

I was in the hospital for 9 days. Treated very well in ICU and I was glad to have the procedure. Pain was terrible first week also no food but that didn't matter.

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

I had no complications from the surgery and believe I was well informed from this site as what to expect. I did have a rash from the binder. Everything is going well I am now eating and losing. . . 8/6/00 I have a hernia and waiting to see my surgeon, I was in the hospital for three days last week, dehydration I was taking 80 mg Lasix for leg swelling before doctor said my dosage was to high and I lost to much water. They thought I ws having a heart attack. I became dizzy and short of breath. Now I am OK. EKG ws missread and heart speciallist says it is fine.

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 had been so hopeful and trying so hard at kaiser who always slowed it down and never really approved my surgery. Once I went to the VA it was quick and I am thankful to my doctors

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

Very weak and tired. Relax and you'll get over it. Time give it some. Don't lift anything heavy.

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

20 miles

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.

If I eat slowly and chew well I can eat most food. Very difficult to drink liquids, i.e. water and juices. orange juice and gatorade only tolerable drinks. small portions a must.

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

going into fourth week very tired and still little pain. sleep a lot am tired to walk more and excerise. weight dropping fast from 481 pre-op to now 414. 8/6/00 now 346 under the 350 and still a little tired and just keeping it going. Foods now are becoming more tolorable and can eat almost anything. Have periods of no weight lost then I drop a lb or two.

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

liquid vitamin b12 shot from dr I now take two Flintsones daily Vit.

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?

cannot eat fast. Have to chew well (A MUST) 8/6/00 Foods are tolorable now getting better, eat five times a day small amounts.

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

Being tired all the time, and pain

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

Scar is from chest bone down about 3 inches past belly button

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Many and it isn't always when you think sometimes you lose inches then others you lose lbs. Have to just ride them out it happens sometimes for weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really, I think it's hard want to do more that capable and that is discourging. I want to be 200 lbs today and back to being a normal person. I realize now it is going to happen. Just time.