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

Some other people at work had it done, and I asked my physician about it to try and get off some medications. My initial impression was, what could it possibly hurt?

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

The stay in the hospital wasn't bad. Of course, I couldn't, didn't want to eat or drink anything. I did not want to get up and walk around the first day, and the nurses were pretty cool about it, and let me slack. I wound up being there for 4 days due to pnuemonia. The important thing to bring is the puffer....and use it. Other than toiletries.

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

I had no initial complications from the surgery. We wer concerned somewhat due to my having diabetes, two hip replacements, and being 100% disabled. But, the thoughough pre-surgery was very intense and good.

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 continued to walk as much as possible. Drank a lot of water, Gatorade, juices, and really can never eat Jello again. I felt weak a lot and slept in the afternoons. Took a lot out of me when I went out walking also. The first thing I said after I woke from the surgery, was: what the heck did I just do? I was very anxious for a few weeks with the covering also on the stitches. All the feelings went away as time went on.

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

very tired. this was a major surgery and just drained all of my energy. Although as the weeks went by, it still took a lot out of me.

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

we drove 65 miles each way for the surgery. The aftercare is in a different city and it's 80 miles each way. I don't think it would matter how far it is. I have great respect for my surgeon and his staff, so I'll go until he tells me I am done.

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.

Well, changing my eating habits was the number 1 thing. I am supposed to graze all day, and not just eat meals. So, in the first couple of weeks, I would try and down a can of soup, and vomit it right back up. I dehydrated a few times from vomiting, and continued to do this for a couple of weeks. I started on solid foods around 2 weeks later then expected. Now, there are no foods off limits for me, but I still am experimenting. I really have no desire for steaks, hamburgers, etc... I did try a hot dog last week with no success. Sometimes I can tolerate something, and others not. At least at work, I snack all day on Yogurt, cheese and crackers, and peanut butter. It's when we go out to eat, that I don't even order meals anymore, and just take bites from my wife's plate.

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

The Inland Bariatric Surgical Associates support group meets once a month. It's very important to me. I tried to save some miles and go to a group close to home. Different surgery. Different ideas. It really didn't go with my type of surgery. It was more important to me to go to the correct group, after that.

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

Actually, I've been using coconut butter lotion on the scar in the four months out, and the scar is barely noticable. I have had scars from the hip replacements and the coco butter worked well with them also. So, I am at what I have expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost 50 pounds in the first few weeks. Then, it's gradually slowed down. I am only out now though 4 months this week and am down 92 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

It very strange. Although I have worked in a professional enviroment for the last 12 years, no one has ever seen me this small. (I'm not done yet either) My fellow co-workers are amazed, as well as our customers. It seems like I get treated with more friendlyness.