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

The wife of a friend had it done and was raving about the results.

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

Since my company is self insured, all I had to do was go down to human resources and have it approved. It was no issue at all with me.

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

She was wonderful and helpful. Doing your research is quite helpful prior to the suregery and initial visit.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The effects of the weight on my health and life were getting too much for me to handle.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor only does one and that was the one that I wanted.

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?

WIth any suregery, there is a risk of injury or death. These were explained to me by the doctor as well as her experience in this surgery. If you make up your mind to do it, just do it. The risk of stying fat is more than the risk of the surgery.

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?

Friends were supportive and remain that way. They are thrilled for me and their support has made a big difference in my life.

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

Very supportive and I was out only 2 weeks

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

I was in the hospital for 2 days and it was a great stay. The hospital that I was at had only provate rooms so it was not too bad at all. They took dgreat care of me and saw to my every need while I was there. They are friendsly and nice. Nothing special to bring in my opiniion.

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

No surgical complications at all - I was quite lucky when it come to this. THe doctor says that I am a "textbook" patient.

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 progressively better with each passing day and had no anxiety.

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

I was tired and just a shower wore me out. I was home for 2 weeks after the surgery and then returned to work and was ready to. I had no problem adjusting to work again.

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

I had to travel about 90 miles to get from my home to my doctor/hospital. I am able to go when I need to without much of a problem. A friend brought me and picked me up fomr the hospital.

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.

In the firts weeks after surgery, I rapidly progressed to solid foods within two weeks. I was able to eat, in small portions, almost anything that I wanted. Since then, I have had a lot of problems with meats like beef and chicken, but none with seafood or beads or chili! You get used to what your stomach will accept and know VERY Quickly what will and will not be accepted.

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

My activity level increased after the initial two weeks at home. At 6 weeks, I started working out and now work out an hour a day at lunch. I will sontinue to increase my activitiy level as I can to aid in the weight loss.

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

I take a multi and B as well as get a B-12 shot once a month.

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 did not experience any of these symptoms.

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

Waiting for so long to get it done!

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

None

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

There are none

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Level at about 210 for almost 3 years now

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get treated much better.