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

My neighbor is a former student of mine and she told me that had the surgery several years. I do not know what I thought of it because I did know what she looked before. She loved the results but my hesitancy was over what happened to her skin and the subsequent scarring after its removal. I was reintroduced to it again through my ex-wife, whose neighbor had the surgery. I decided to go for a consult and a seminar and came away convinced that this was the way to change and save my life.

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

I really have not had any problem. My surgeon is a member of my insurance program. I have not yet gotten written acknowledgment from the insurance company but I do not expect any problems.

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

Very informative. He put me at ease. Explained everything that was going to happen. Answered any and all questions that I had. It helped that I had written my questions down before the meeting. I also made sure to read the printed material that I had received from him at a seminar that I had attended several weeks earlier. I came better prepared to ask questions and to understand what was going to happen.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My continually declining health. My cardiologist assures me that in his opinion my problems would disappear with the loss of weight. I live in pain every day from the weight and the effect it has on my body. I need my life back and I cannot have it while I weigh so much and verge on the brink of heart failure.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I am having the gastric bypass because of the doctor's recommendation and because it will allow me to lose the greatest possible amount of weight.

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 cannot tell others what to think or feel but as for me I know that there are risks or that I could die from this surgery but I also know that I cannot continue to live like this. I need to have my life back and this surgery affords me that chance. I will just ask my friends to pray for me and trust my surgeon to do his job. Anyway, I cannot die because I have a new grandson whom I need to see and play with. I will be okay and that is the only I think about this surgery.

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?

I am amazed by everyone's reaction. Everyone single person has been amazingly supportive andhelpful. I have even learned of other people who had this surgery through friends and have had a chance to talk to them. I was very hesitant about telling anyone but am glad that I did.

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

I have not had the surgery yet but my employer's reaction does not matter. I am a schoolteacher and I am having the surgery done right at the beginning of my summer vacation. By the way, this is the first time in 15 years that I am not teaching summer school. My original plan was to travel but you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men....

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 6 days. I was in Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey. The people there who took care of me were wonderful. Bring clean clothes for going home in and be sure to bring your toiletries because after a few days you will want to take a shower.

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

None whatsoever.

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 was anxious but more than anything I was glad that I had finally made the decision.

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

After leaving the hospital I went to my father's place. He is 82 but wanted to take care of me. I have to admit that I did not really want to go there but I went anyway and it was the best thing I could have done. Believe me when I tell you that having someone to do things for you is great. It was wonderful to have someone take care of me and it gave me the chance to just recuperate. I went to my place after a week with my dad (he came with me for a few days). I live in a walkup and walking up 4 flights of stairs was a breeze. I only went out once a day for the next while someone took care of my dog for me. At three weeks post-op I did everything for myself. I was careful, I paced myself and I felt great. Just listen to your body.

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

I live in New York City and I went to New Jersey for the surgery. My daughter has a car and she took care of me. Once in a while I rented a car. My aftercare was excellent. No problems.

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.

This would really take me too long to explain. Dr. Benotti gives his patients a thick folder explaining all the dos and donts of eating. For the first two weeks I was on fluids only - Carnation Instant breakfast, water, sugar-free, non-carbonated drinks. After visiting the doctor to have my staples removed I went on pureed foods. I primarily ate fish (tuna in water) and chicken and turkey breasts with a green vegetable (all also pureed). Together with my fluids this is how I ate for the next 6 weeks. It was admittedly boring but I did it. I want you to know that I no longer need a machine to sleep (apnea) and my blood pressure is back down to 120/80. My cardiologist will remove the medications if my pressure remains normal for a few more visits. I am now on whole foods but I do not eat sugars, fats or excessive carbohydrates. I eat small bites. I eat 2-3 ounces at a meal and I eat 4-5 times a day. After 10 weeks I have lost 71 pounds.

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

Much improved over previous levels. I can walk several blocks and not have to stop every few yards. I am back in the gym.

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

I take calcium and a multi-vitamin every day and B-12 once a week.

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 had none of these problems.

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

Waking up in the ICU with tubes all over the place and the nurses coming into my room the first night to inform me that the doctor had left instructions that they were to get me to sit up and get out of bed. I am not quite sure what it is I said to them but I did it and I have to admit that it felt great.

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

Two Mondays a month Dr. Benotti runs group meetings for his post-op patients. Getting there is difficult but I try to attend when I can.

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

It is very narrow and about 7 inches long. I really do not pay much attention to it. I did not know what to expect so it is unimportant.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

There have ben no real plateaus. I feel that I am progressing and changing every day.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. They are constantly commenting on my new appearance and complimenting me. I think that people are treating me differently because I feel different and act different.