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

I had heard a bit about it but Al Roker really brought it to the forefront for men.

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

None whatsoever...Maryland is one of 38 states (as of 2003) that have pre-approved this surgery as long as certain criteria are met. These consist of: 1)Primary Care Physician's endorsement and certification that other methods have failed. 2)Pre-operative consults that both confirm the medical necessity for the surgery and certify that the patient is a viable candidate (i.e. healthy enough to survive).

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

Very positive...he explained the entire procedure in layman's terms. Indicated what I could expect and what not to expect. Patient should be prepared to ask questions regarding the surgeon's experience and complication rate, and what types of complications (if any).

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

We just had a new granddaughter and I was advised by my PCP that, if I wanted to live to see her grow up, I'd better do sometrhing definitive.

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

It wasn't bad at all. I had Open RNY surgery which involves longer hospitalization than the laparoscopic procedure, but I was only in the hospital three days after the surgery (four counting the day of surgery). I was in Intensive Care for the first 2 of those for observation. I'd bring reading material!! It is incredibly boring. I also brought my shaving equipment and toiletries so I could "clean up" and it made me feel so much better.

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?

I felt great from the day of the surgery on. I noticed an immediate improvement in my ability to breathe. There is obviously some pain involved but mine wasn't very bad at all. At the suggestion of my Pulmonary specialist, I had an epidural which made it easier to do the breathing exercises and to cough (a required activity).

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

Again, this depends upon the patient. I was fully mobile and able to fend for myself. I had abdominal tenderness (not pain) for about a week but nothing that incapacitated me. I was able to navigate stairs easily which actually helped in my recovery. The biggest "problem" is being tired a lot. I found myself napping several times a day.

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

My surgery was 45 miles away but it didn't affect anything pre-op or post-op.

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.

Each individual tolerates different things differently (Wow...what a profound statement!!) For the first week post-op, I was on a liquid diet...apple juice (which made me diarrhetic), chicken/beef broth, jello. After that, I was able to add mashed potatoes, sugar-free pudding, and sugar-free yogurt. At three weeks, I was supposed to go to pureed foods but I had trouble accepting the consistency, so I went straight to "soft solids." Here is was able to eat tuna salad, chicken breast salad, egg salad. At the suggestion of a member of one of my online support groups, I added Wendy's chili. I have eaten out twice...once I had an Arby's Market Fresh turkey sandwich and, at TGI Friday's, I had their Sizzling Chicken and Cheese platter which has chicken breast, mashed potatoes, and melted cheese. I had half the Wendy's chili and Arby's sandwich, and 1/3 of the Friday's meal...saving the rest for later.

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

I tried to be as active as I could, walking as much as possible and climbing stairs several times a day. After two weeks, I started walking through the neighborhhod and using my "strider" thirty minutes a day.

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

I use Flintstones Complete chewable multi-vitamins and Viactiv calcium supplement

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?

Thus far, I have not experienced any side effects.

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

I attend an in-person support group that is a team effort consisting of my surgeon, a nurse from the hospital, and my nutritionist. In addition, I belong to three online support groups. I believe that this is essential to success and I find the information/experience shared has been extremely helpful.

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

LONG! It runs from my breastbone to my navel...about 18" But, as a male, the scar isn't as big a concern to me as it might be for a female.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None so far (crossing figures)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes...many have been very complimentary and supportive.