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

I first found out about bariatric surgery when i was in my late twenty's and was excited that there was a tool that could help in my struggle with my weight.

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

Well since my mental breakdown in 01, and because I am on medicare and medicaid there wasn't any problems really. Medicaid offers a program where they will provide transportation to your appointment's. This programs name is sooner ride. The only draw back to this is that since medicaid doesn't pay for this surgery then the transportation is only available post op.

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

Since I live so far away I was able to view a seminar tape about the surgery which was done by my surgeon. So it was a very calm visit. It is helpful when the surgeon identifies the issue. To got the most out of the visit is to research your surgeon and write down any concerns that you think are relevant to your case.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

the acceptance of my mothers thought about it. she was the one that I had the most conflict with about this.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

medicare only pays for open rny

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 the that I feared was dying, but again research your surgeon and the #'s associated with this surgery. Prepare a Will that way you know what is going to happen to loved ones in the event that you do pass during the procedure.

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?

As I stated before it was mother who had the most difficulty accepting my decision. No I would not change anything. They are very supportive of my procedure, in fact my younger brother took me to surgery.

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

N/A

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

It was very good. I stayed for 5 days and the most important thing to bring with you are your Will, if you have one, comfortable clothing for the ride home and anything to keep you busy during your stay. IE crossword puzzles, cards, crochet if you do this.

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

The only complication I remember having was a reaction on my belly from the blood clot thinner. But if you discover any kind of discomfort please go to the ER or your doctor.

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

Well the only anxiety I had was right before surgery which was calmed by the PA.

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

Pain. While in the hospital you have a constant pain medication, but after you get home then you have to take the medication orally. May I suggest that pre op patients if they can check to see if you can get a hospital bed to better them in their post op weeks. Also if you are alone, make sure that you have either a friend or family member stay with you until you are comfortable about being alone again.

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

I traveled 6 hours. I was able to go back for my 2 week visit, after that I went to my PCP for my monthly check up

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.

The foods that have been off limits are sugars. If you fallow your instructions, you should do fine. The hardest thing is to slow down. I still have that problem, eating to fast.

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

I believe that my energy level is normal due to medication I am on.

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

I am taking equate mature complete, and equate chewable flintstones w/iron multi-vitamin.

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?

dumping can be an issue if my intake is not what it is supposed to be. It is a struggle. I am not going to lie about it, to only eat 1/2 c 3x daily is hard to do. Your stomach is reduced to the size of a mans thumb and if you over do it, it makes you have vomiting spells. Luckily I have not had that problem. If I over do it on the sugar, I have had a few accidents.

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

The fear of the unknown which was little.

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

I was going to a behavioral group, it did me real well while I was there.

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

my scar is great. looks more like a stretch mark. Thought that it would look like my c-section scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

well i think that my plateau hit at 285 and has been slow since then. but i think that things are picking up again, walking helps out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not really but I try not to focus on other people. I think that a man is more likely to want to be involved with someone who is not so huge.