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

I first learned of it years ago when it was experminental. I just wanted to wait and see. Now I've waited, and increased my weight to outlandish figures. I was reintroduced through a Lady from North Carolina, who is also waiting on a surgery date. We met via the internet, and it is her dedication to getting slim that sparked me to look into it again. My first impression of weight loss surgery, was not too good. But since then with the number of surgeries being done, my opinion has changed greatly. Everyday somewhere in this world there are advances being made in this extraordinary field, and I am glad that I waited, but wish to wait no more.

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

I simply ask the doctors office if medicare would pay for this proceedure? I have been told by both the surgeon's office and my own personal doctor's office, that medicare will pay if all conditions are met and the weight is a henderance to my health. Unfortunately, Medicaid insurance within the state of Kansas is another issue altogether. Medicaid refuses to hear anything but disclaims the proceedure as cosmetic only and will not cover any part of it. This leave me with something in the area of around $4,000 that I must cover myself.

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

I haven't met the surgeon yet, but take all the questions you have written down so none will slip your mind. The more questions you have, the more informed your decission will be. I met with the surgeon Dr. Helling of Kansas City, Mo. on 18 Dec. 2000 and was very pleasantly surprised by his knowledge and ability to transfer it to me in an understandable way. He answered all my questions and reassured me that all would be fine, and I would soon be on my way to a happier and healthier life. There are no dumb questions according to this doctor. He welcomed all my questions with anticipation, and answered them forthright. Please take written questions with you as otherwise you will forget important ones. I am very plaesed with this surgeon now and expect to be pleased after surgery also.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I just got tired of being this way. I want to see what normal is like before I die. I've been told I had so much potential, well lets see what we can do with it, rather than waste it, as life only comes once, And I want to make the very best out of it that I can.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My decission will be made by the answers that I get to my questions, as well as the information I recieve from the doctor and past patients. After talking with my surgeon, I decided to go with the open RNY rather than the laproscopic version. Dr. Helling will also remove my gallbladder while he has me open, thus deleting a surgery in the future to do so. This is the only proceedure that Dr. Helling will do as he belives it is in the best interest of his patient.

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 place all my fears before the Lord. Putting my faith in God's love has helped me this far and I see no reason to quit now. There are several other ways to look at it also, first, is the weight is deffinitely causing a shorter than average life span, so without the surgery how much time do I have anyway. Second, I belive that we all have a preset time to go, and only the Lord knows for sure, so why not try and improve my health while I still can. Third and most important to me is the fact that I just belive this is the right time for me to have the surgery, and for no other reason than my own belife, now is the time, so lets do it.

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?

The family that counts, stands on my decission for myself. All others have nothing to say about it as far as I am concerned. The lady I am to marry in the spring is fearful, but stands beside me in my decission. She has agreed to be there for me as she now knows this is for her as much as for me. Without the surgery, I don't feel like I could marry her, being the way I am now.

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

I have been out of work due to the weight, and hopefully I will be able to return to the workforce once this weight is off of me for good. I will not be able to do the work I once did, but I can still be useful somewhere, I just have to find my niche.

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

My hospital confinement was for 7 days, and the treatment was good. You will get very tired of laying in the same basic posistion a lot for pain control, but the most important things to bring with you are a complete list of previous as well as current medications, and medical history. Even though the doctors office has this, the hospital needs to ask the same questions every day. On the otherhand, the best thing you can take with you is a great outlook on how the future is going to be, ans stick with it. Your attitude is more important, than your medications!

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

No complications other than the obvious ones at this time. Otherwise, extreme soreness, tenderness, and a new found reason to do things slowly.

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

Post surgery anxiety has come and gone several times. I'm still dealing with it on a daily basis. Each of us seeks our strength from different sources, some from God, some from within, and yet others from the reading of text. For myself, I seek it from all of the above and more, so will have this on my mind for quite awhile yet.

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

If my experiences are anything to gauge off of, then those first few weeks will be spent asking yourself? "What have I done!" Your energy level will not exist, the pain will not let up, and your stomach will not quit hurting. The very idea of clothing touching your body, will become repulsive, and then you will begin to feel a new creature emerging from all this bleakness and you will know that it has been all worthwhile.

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

Initally I was to have the surgery done with a one-hour drive time of my home. But since my heart deamed that my body follow it to a new location, just prior to surgery, I got to take a 4 hour ride in one direction. Going in was no problem, but going home after surgery, was a totally exhausting experience. With time, this will not matter as my body rebuilds and renews itself. I don't think the distance will affect the aftercare as it is how we care for ourselves at home that will make the biggest difference. I will still get to the doctor when I need to, just have to leave earlier than before.

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.

First off forget Steak in any form! I no longer eat bread or donuts, or any pastry. It gets stuck and is very painful. No more beef in any form. The beef is too stringy and only hangs up inside my new pouch, causing lots of pain and discomfort.Can't eat sthe same thing two days in a row as my stomach will reject it. No ice cold drinks, as they cause extreme pain and indigestion. Have gotten used to having drinks at room temperature or warmer. I must drink a warm liquid when I eat, or else the food hangs up. This is different from what I was told prior to surgery. My main food items are, boiled chicken, turkey, and fish, along with a healthy supply of beans. Also I have greater cravings for spicy food than before, even to the extent of being down right hot with spices. I am able to eat several varieties of seafood as long as it is not deep fried. Can eat pork if cooked in a slo-cooker till it crumbles, but only every once in a while. Some pasta dishes are fine, but never know day to day what will stay down and what won't. I have aquired a greater appreciation for soups in general as they sooth my stomach. Everything else is like a diabetic.......bake, boil, or broil. NO FRIED FOODS! I seem to be eating more often, but not as much at each setting. I must force myself to drink plenty of liquids daily. This is very important to keep everything moving within.

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

This question I will try to answer with every update so as to keep it current. In the first two weeks following surgery, my energy level is just above a dead battery, thus my activity level is extremely low. ( I'd like to add here that I still go to the farm weekly no matter how I feel, just to get out in the fresh air and move around.) After 6 months, I am doing things that I could not do for over twenty years. My energy level is moderately high, I work outdoors as often as I can, doing yard work, repairs to our home, mowing the yard of 1 1/2 acres every week. I have my life returning to me everyday and I am so thankful that I did the surgery. I can now walk far beyond the doctor ordered 200 feet, without having to stop and rest or sit down. Soon I hope to be able to return to an active life in the work force again.

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

I now consume a chewable daily vitamine for a balanced intake, and soon will begin on a daily dose of minerals as well. The minerals will most likely be taken in liquid form. The liquid minerals don't taste very well, but the chewable vitamines that I get from Wal-Mart are excellent. They are Active kids brand, and are inexpensive, I take two every morning.

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?

Nausia lasted for about two weeks, vomiting only three times total within the first month, and have never again, but felt like it several times. I had sleep-apnea for 27 years going into the surgery, but after 6 months, the doctors have found no trace of it, and I no longer use the bi-pap to sleep nights. GREAT isn't it! Hair loss never affected me at all, but had severe dumping for almost two months before my body self-righted itself. Coping wasn't easy, but I knew it had to get better as it was part of my recovery process.

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

Here two weeks post-op, I would have to say that the worse part for me is the pain of the surgery. Mentally I was prepared to give up a lot of food, and my overall outlook was very upbeat. But this pain, never seems to go anywhere without prompting from a pill. Most definitely, it is the pain!

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

Since I moved out where the chicken hawks date the owls, there is no local support available here. I depend on the internet, and other people in recovery like myself for support, as well as keeping my faith in the Lord above to watch over me. My greatest blessing is having a loving spouse who supports me in all that I do, and looks out for me always.

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

My scar is long, and about 1/2 inch wide at the top, but tapers to a very narrow scar ar it progresses downward. It dosen't bother me in the least, but I do joke about being an A.L.F. "Altered Life Form". I am happy with the surgery and its results, what happens from this point on is my responsibility. The scar is not hard or puffed out and with time will just become another scar.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At the present I seem to be on a plateau, with my weight not moving much, but my inches are still changing. I started this with a 84" waist. Now I am wearing 50" waist jeans, and everytime I go to put them on, I think, they will never fit, but they do. Maybe this plateau is in my mind, not my body.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes to a mild degree! I am still considered a very big man in stature, but not the fat man I used to be. Since I am basically out of sweats, and into regular clothing, more people seem to look with approving glances now. My immediate family and friends tell me how much better I now look, and that really helps me to feel better about myself.