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

I thought no way am I going to have this surgery and not be able to enjoy food again but I think I am ready to start my new life and soon I will have my surgery can't wait.

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

I am lucky and at Balboa Naval Hospital it was easy I went in and he said you need it and started to do all my pre op suff and am ready except for two more classes.

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

I was really ready to tell him that I don't need this surgury and that I was not even sure I wanted it. After a talk with him and my wife well I was wrong and now I am on the right track to start my new life.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Where do I start? Clothes, Wheelchair, blood pressure, ect. I can go on and fill this whole page and still have more reasons.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was not really mine to have I let me Dr tell me what too have and I am going with his proceedure he is the Dr. not 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 will alway have fears not matter what type of surgery a person has. The only thing I say is you have to have a lot of faith in your Dr. and his staff.

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?

Like all some aggree and some say don't do it. In the end it your dicision not anyone elses.

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

No reaction yet only thing that was said was how long will you be out and can you please train someone to do your job for the time you are out.

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 three days it was nto too eventful no pain was very thirsty but other than that it was great.

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

I had a bad reaction too my IV it felt like my are was broken and it took about nine days for my arm too get better. I also got a infection from the cath that has just started to get better and it has been four weeks out now.

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 could not wait for surgery I really could not stop eating and now I feel a whole lot better.

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

I was a little board staying home not being able to drive and watching tv all they have is adds for fast food and that dose not help when you can't eat solids. So don't watch TV read or walk do other things other than stay and watch TV.

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

Only about 10 miles not far at all.

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.

Ok I am now four weeks out I have eaten meat, checken, some shirmp, fish, turkey, mashed patatos the only thing that I have not tried is fruit and veggies that is next week.

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

The first week it was slow not I am back at basketball and various other actvitys.

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

I am taking two children vitamins, one B1, calcium 2000 mg these I take once a day I also take one B12 once a week. Plus my 70 to 90 grams of protine

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?

Nothing yet. But I am only four weeks out.

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

Well for me on the week I got out it was thanksgiving and that was a little hard for me but I made it so next is Xmas hope all goes well.

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

I went to my support group and read a lot about after surgery there are a lot of good books out for us.

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

Five little ones that you can hardly see know.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

It started right after I was able to eat some food I stopped loosing as fast I was. I lost 35 lbs in three weeks now I have only lost 4 lbs in two weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some not yet but I am getting some commets from people that are not sure if I lost or what is going on.