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

My personal M.D. offered it as the "next step" in gaining control of my weight. I thought that it was a rather radical suggestion that I could use a surgical procedure to solve a psychological problem.

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

I had no problems with Blue Cross. All paperwork was processed in the time expected. If I had advice for people seeking this surgery, I would suggest getting Blue Cross as my provider.

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

It is important to realize that this is a life saving procedure, it is not a image inhancing one. Have a list of medical problems you have accumulated as a result of your morbid obesity.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was the next logical step in trying to control a persistent problem.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

This was the most up-to-date procedure I was offered. The surgeon was confident that this would be successful in controlling my weight with the minimum complications and side effects.

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 could have continued on the path I had traveled. I could continue gaining weight with increasing medical problems. I could expect to have, at some time, a long, miserable and painful death. OR I could have a surgery where there was a slight possibility of dying on the operating table and a greater chance for a longer life with better health. I choose the chance for a longer life with better health.

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?

Very supportive both before and after the surgery.

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

Very supportive both before and after the surgery. I was out of work for six 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 36 hours. The stay in the hospital was uneventful. Everyone was very helpful. Most of the first 24 hours I slept.

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

A very nasty infection from one of the surgery sites. It was dealt with with antibiotics.

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 was confident that the basis of my decision was made on the correct factors for me. I had very little anxiety. I was neither anxious or fearful of the surgery

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

A loving spouse was my biggest help. The minimum number of calories and nutrition were a pleasant surprise. I found I was very satisfied with a small cup of soup or jello. Most of the first few weeks were spent with moist heating pads or cleaning up a draining infection.

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

50 miles. It would have been nice to visit the surgeon about the infection, but all was handled successfully by phone.

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.

After a couple of weeks on a liquid diet I tried tuna fish on toast. That made me sick for about 4-5 hours. It was perhaps a larger step than I should have taken. After a couple of months I was able to tolerate most foods if chewed thoroughly and in small amounts.

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

Mostly bed rest for the first three weeks.

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

over the counter multi-vitamin and mineral suppliment.

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 have vomited a total of three times. The incident with the tuna fish on toast was the worst. The other two incidents were because I gobbled down that "first bite" too quickly. Since that bite wasn't completely chewed, it was rejected by my new mini-sized stomach. I learned quickly not to eat too much and to chew thoroughly. I haven't hed any vomiting since about 5 weeks after the surgery.

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

The long drive to the hospital at 3AM in the morning.

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

The only scheduled aftercare is periodic meetings with the surgeon. I do have the advantage of being able to meet with other post-ops in my local area.

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

5 small discolored area on the abdomen. I didn't know what to expect, but this seems like a very small price to pay.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It seemed to take a long time to go from -95 pounds to -100 pounds. I was convinced that this was just a "bump in the road" and that the mechanics of the surgery assured me of losing more weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No. I have had several mentions that they are glad I have lost so much weight successfully.