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

My girlfriend had the surgery, and from what I saw with her, she was starting to look great!

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

Insurance approval was a breeze. I was approved in 3 days. I would suggest that if anyone is denied, that they appeal it.

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

The first meeting was the group consultation and then I met individually with the doctor. This was fantastic. He answered every question during the consultation, that I really didn't have anything left to ask him when we were on the private meeting.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

He said that I was a good candidate, and if the insurance approved it...that was all I needed.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I just listened to both the RNY and the lap-band during the consultation, and realized that the RNY would be best for me.

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 thought something terrible would happen, and my son would be left with out anyone. I realized that the surgeons were top of the line and I just decided to put my life in there hands. They are

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

The Barix Center in Langhorne was wonderful. They could not do enough for me. They were the nicest nurses I had ever come across. I was there for 2 days. I didn't really need to bring anything because everything that I brought didn't even get touched while I was there. You are too busy walking all the time!

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

No complications

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

After I got my date, it went pretty fast. I had my pre-op testing the following week, and then surgery the following week. I got very nervous and scared.

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

I felt wonderful when I came home from the hospital. The following day I went to my sons hockey game, went to Walmart and did alittle shopping, and then went food shopping. I would've went to work the following day on Monday, but my back was hurting me. I did go to work on Tuesday though. I felt like I never even had major surgery. I realize that all people are different however, as I can't find anyone that has had the same experience as me.

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

The Barix Clinic in Langhorne was about 10 minutes from my house.

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.

I was on a "stage" diet. First it was full liquids (jello, sugar free popsicles, milk, juices, etc. Then it was pureed foods (wendy's chili, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, etc.). Then is was soft foods (fish, eggs, etc.). Then full foods. I could eat anything I wanted, but needed to watch the sugar content. Anything 2g of sugar and less was ok. Anything over 2g, I would have to check the first five ingredients and make sure sugar or fructose or something like that wasn't there.

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

My activity level was great. I wasn't always tired like I had been my whole life. I could actually watch the 10 o'clock news now!!

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

Childrens chewable twice a day. Pepcid twice a day for 3 months.

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?

So far I have not had any side effects!

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

The worst part was the anxiety and being scared before surgery!

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

I use the message boards on obesityhelp.com for my support outside of my family. I have not been able to attend a post-op support meeting, but am hoping to in the near future.

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

I have six little scars ranging from 1/2" to an 1". Three of them are almost all gone already. Oh yeah, and a really little one from the drain that you really can't see anymore.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Plateau....uugh. I lost 15 pounds when I went for my two week post op visit. My doctor expected me to lose 15 more by my six week visit. Well, I go back when I will be 7 weeks, and it looks like I may have lost only 8 pounds in those 5 weeks. Don't know if that was a plateau, but sure seemed like one!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Nope...everyone still seems the same to me. I never really was treated bad.