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

My family doctor, and i was all for it.

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 my insurance

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

Listen listen listen!!!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My children and my job.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

All in or nothing.

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 had only the fear of dying, but I was killing myself anyways, so why not go for it. Trust in your surgeon, but do your homework on him.

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?

100%. They wanted me to stick around for a little longer.

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

When I changed fire districts the reaction was a little more fair, and after losing the weight and becoming the supercharged person i am today, the officers in my old district changed their tune also. I was out of work for six weeks due to the fact of the demands of my profession.

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

Pleasant, 4 days, books.

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

Only had to have scar tissue stretched with an endoscopy.

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

Impatient, exercised.

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

Some pain and discomfort, but not as bad as a toothache. Follow the instruction on diet at all cost!!!

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

3 miles, none

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.

All liquids at first, month 2 and 3 some egg and mashed potatoes, month 4 one to two bites of baked chicken chewed extensively, eventually able to eat beef but i try to choose the least amount of fat content. Most fried foods are off limits even now, but I can tolerate them I think i just don't want it anymore. A year and a half later, psychologically I think I go with whats best for my body not my taste and it taste better now.

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

At first low with short walks to the end of the street, then progressively longer walks.

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

Multi-vitamins

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?

Dumping was a factor for me, and i hated it. The fact that i knew i was getting healthier kept me going. well worth the nasty trip.

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

The wait.

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

Family

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

you can only see a 2 inch and a little bit of a 1/2 inch scar. Good job doc!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Went down to 170lbs, then gained back about 20lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

only at work.