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

A very good close friend asked me about the surgery and if i would like to come to a meeting .

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

Oxford gave approval on the very first shot . GO OXFORD. BEST HMO in the country.

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

It was very nice to see others that felt like me . Dr R.F. Capella was understanding and straight forward on everything i asked. ASK ANYTHING THAT COMES TO MIND.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to live. Not many people over 40 at 485 pounds.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

VGB GASTRIC BYPASS was sugested by my DR and i took his advise . Your Dr will best know how to advise you.

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?

As for me at the time of my surgery i had made the choice i either take the risk or live the rest of my life as a 500 pound man.And as we all know the outlook for a long life at that weight is pardon me for the bad joke slim to none.We all think the worst and thats ok but ask yourself if its worth it.For me OH HELL YES...............

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?

My wife and daughter were excited and thrilled for me . Along with co-workers and friends.Everyone in my life loved the idea of me slim again. My wife was a rock as she always has been.

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

Evryone at work thought it was a very gutsy decision on my part .

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

Hackensack Medical Center was like the RITZ HOTEL. I never knew a hospital could be this nice . everyone and i mean EVERYONE was great ,treated me like gold. I went in on Monday Oct 20th 7:00am surgery and 55 min later all done . I went home that Thursday night.

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

None

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

Other than being tender i was fine. I did not drive for 6 weeks . I drive a van not abel to climb into or out of it .AT my 3rd week weigh in i went from 485 to 435 not bad.

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

I was out from work for two weeks . It will hurt for a while but this too shall pass. Getting up from bed and a chair is hard but not impossible .Bathroom trips are hard getting use to, Bm every 2 days and drink your water as directed.

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

I live in Rockaway Beach N.Y.,i had surgery in Hackensack University Hospital N.J.

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.

WOW . Ok here we go the first week water ,tea ,jello is all i had . Week #2 the blender had a workout . everything i ate was changed to a beautiful paste. Week #3 solid food YEAAAAAAAAAAAA. i had an egg and 1/4 slice of toast. Don`t push it when you feel full STOP or you will damage your new tummy.Sugar and soda is out no seeds or spicy things.I still will not eat rice or steak to hard on the inrds..

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

Walk,walk ,walk ,walk and then some more walking . The more walking you do the better off you will be. Also faster weight loss .

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

OK don`t laugh Flintstones HEY I SAID NO LAUGHING..............

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?

Hair loss whats this about hair loss?

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

Nothing it was not at all what i thought it would be. IT was just fine and i have a cool scar i can use to scar kids at Holloween

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

none

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

10 inches COOL

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I FEEL PRETTY OH SO PRETTY . Kidding . I have alot of energy.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes i hear things like , Oh you look great ,wow its working ,your starting to look sexy to me.............