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

Mom Aunt and Uncle had it done in the 80's so I kinda was around it all the time

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

My insurances refused So I went to medicare

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

Just like any other visit nothing different

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

38 years of of hell, Being accepted was the final disistion

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't my doctor did and He knows which I needed

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?

OK FEAR NONE YOU LIVE IN FEAR LONG ENOUGH ABOUT DYING BECAUSE YOUR FAT WHY WOULD HAVING THIS DONE SCARE ME AT ALL ??? I tell everyone who asked that question I'm dying now. I told my wife the morning of the surgery if I die I told her what to do to me.

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?

Most were supportive some not, alot are non now that it's done and over thinking it won't help or I'll do something to hinder wieght loss. My baby brother was most supportive before and after no other sibling cared

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

my stay was great Columbia Univirsity was fantastic all staff Thank You all. I was in for 1 week. Bring books puzzles ect

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

yes minor i popped a stitch helping put in an AC unit Doc took care of it. My drain tube hole has not healed still dealing with that but no biggy

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

Felt great thanked God acted like a school kid going on a trip

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

Oh this depends on the person I had no prob other then some of my family not thinking I would lose weight

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

I went 345 miles it did not affect my aftercare at all

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.

Ok first let me tell you I quit chewing snuff so my taste buds did a lot of changing lol I at soft foods until I felt like wanting more I do not eat spicey foods (did not eat much before) I chop up meats drink protien shakes ect

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

slowly going up till i hate sitting lol

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

I take 1 centrum per day and drink protien

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'm lossing hair but not going bald lol no other side effects

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

Not doing it sooner

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

Obesityhelp.com Thanks all

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

ahhhhh a little bigger thats all

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes very much so I can fit in a booth so no staring lol