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

I found out about bariatric surgery 20+ years ago. My initial impression was why cant people lose weight on there own.

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 getting our insurance company to approve the surgery. I think this was in part to the program that Bellin Health in Green Bay Wisconsin has setup. They know the requirements of all major insurance carriers.

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

My surgeon explained everthing on my first visit. She said that her office was committed to my success. If I had any questions to call her office and they would get me the answers

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had tryed many diets worked with a nutritionist and a personal trainer. I could not sustain a weight loss and each time I would lose less weight and gain more back.It was a cycle I knew I had to get out of or risk an increasing amount of health problems.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

In my area the Rou en Y is the only procedure offered.

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 think any one who has surgery has some fears. The best way to cope with that is to educate yourself by reading and in forums with people who have had the surgery. The other point is ask your doctor about what problems they have had.

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 has been very supportive. My children are young and dont fully understand.

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

My employer was very supportive. My boss tryed to talk me out of the surgery. I just explained that it was something that I needed to do to for my future. I was off work for two weeks

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

My stay at Bellin Hospital was very good. I was well taken care of.

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

I had a problem with the disolvable staple my body did not like one of them. I contacted my surgeon and they removed it and my incision healed up in a few days

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 had no second thoughts or anxiety

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

There is alot of adjusting and you are learning about your body all over again. The biggest thing for me was trying to get enough fluids in .During therapy sessions before surgery they had told not to concentrate on food and after surgery for the first month or so thats all you do is concentrate on food.

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

I had a 10 minute drive from my home

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 have a hard time to this day with beef. I have not had any sugarsince my surgery. Pasta causes some problems. I am still on a semi solid diet I eat alot of chicken and fish.

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

I tryed to walk three to four times a day. I went back to work two weeks after surgery. My job requires me to walk between two building 50yards apart four or five times a dayMy doctor released me for the fitness center after two months.

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

I take two multi vitamins,a B-12 pill and two calcium supplments daily

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 still have bouts of vomiting to this day on occasion (8 months out)

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

Eating baby food

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

I have yet to attend any support groups yet

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

I have three small scars and one large one (3 inchs) above my belly button. I had expected some scars

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have been at a plateau recently for three weeks. It appears that I am geeting past it now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have noticed comments from people like "I have never seen you cross your legs before". People that havent seen me in along time take double look.