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

In 1994, I first explored the possibilities of VBG, but immediately knew that this surgery wasnot what I was looking for, so I declined. Then in Dec.,1999, I attended a seminar for Rite Weigh in Paducah,Ky where the RNY was discussed, but again I knew there had to be something better and more refined, so my search continued until I learned about the BPD/DS here on this site, and then I knew that was the best procedure preformed today, so I took my chance and had surgery on Dec5,00. I'm so happy that I found the BPD/DS and Dr Herron at Mt Sinai Hospital in NYC.

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

Due to my disability, I had Medicare and there were no problems getting approved for surgery.

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

Because I was informed to do so on this site, I took along a list of questions that I wanted the surgeon to answer, which he did without any hesitation. Accordingly, he realized that I was well informed about the different bariatric surgeries, and therefore he was able to more extensively explain the procedures, recovery, and aftercare concerns. He was more relaxed with me, and hence, I was more relaxed with him, so the consultation went very smoothly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

At my size, 485#, I felt that I probably would not survive another year without surgical intervention, because I had tried many unsucessful diets and diet plans.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

THe BPD/DS is the newest procedure in the evolution of bariatric surgeries. There is no dumping , no food lodging, less ulcer formation, better weight loss, and easier to maintain weight loss with the BPD/DS.

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 figured I was in good hands and that if I didn't do this soon that I would not survive much longer.

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 researched wls thoruoughly, and then used that information to educate my relatives, friends, and family that this was a good choice. Everyone has been very supportive and helpful.

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

Mt Sinai in NYC is a hugh hospital, and I must say , it was NOT a clean hospital. I was there for a total of nine days, and most of the nurses were good, but there is always some that were lazy, etc. I was very sick from the surgery, and I'm very thankful that I was forewarned of the nursing situation in NYC so that I took my wife and my sister along to help to attend to my needs while in the hospital , etc. Tey were most helpful and one of them was in the room every minute that I was in the hospital. A small pillow is needed for coughing, etc; everything else was provided by the hospital.

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

The surgery caused my new stomach to swell almost closed and therefore the liquids, etc. could not go down, and they wouldn't come up until I finally vomitted after 3 days of hiccups and extreme nausea. I then began eating well chewed saltines and that eally soothed my sore stomach. My recovery had began!!

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 spent a lot of time here on this site, trying to educate others that were just beginning their research, etc. I also found several other sites that were geared to wls support.

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

After arriving home about 2 weeks after surgery, I was still somewhat sore and neede help rising from a chair , etc., so my wife was of much help to me at this time. By the 3rd week, I could manage for myself quite well, and I started walking around the home more to get as much excercise as posssible indoors since the weather outside was snowy and wintery.

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

From extreme Southwestern Illinois to NYC is about 1000 miles. I made the trip because I wanted the best possible surgeons in the world, and according to information that I found on the internet, the group at Mt Sinai Hospital in NYC was the best. I do all of my aftercare thru my PCP here in Illinois and then I telephone and fax all information back to NYC for them to evaluate the information also. It has worked very well so far.

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.

At first I was on a full liquid diet for the first 3-4 days, the on to soft foods for 3 weeks. After that I began to introduce new foods gradually, and soon learned that I could eat almost anything that was not greasy. With the BPD/DS, I can tolerate a small bite of sweets without any malaise. I can only eat a bout 4-6 oz of food before I get full, so I quit as soon as I feel full. At 11 weeks, I can eat a small amount of almost anything that is not greasy.

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

I was very weak for the first 2 weeks or so, but now my energy and stamina is increasing each day.

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

I start the morning out with an Feriex Forte 150 capsule on an empty stomach. About an hour later, I have breakfast, and then take 1 "Caltrate" tablet, 1 "Tums", 1 ADEK, 1 chewable "Flintstone Complete", 1 "Actigall" capsule (to prevent gallstones), 1 "Allopurinol" ( to help with gout-like condition), and then about an hour later I take a "K-Dur" potassium tablet. I repeat this regiment after each meal, and then depending on how much protein I have comsumed throughout the day, I have a protein supplement drink mixed with skim milk ( sometimes 2 scops, and sometimes only 1 scoop). I use the "Designer Protein" chocolte flavor from GNC stores, it is whey based.

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?

Nausea for the first 3-4 days was eased by eating saltine crackers. There is no dumpimg with the BPD/DS, so that has never been a concern. I have only vomitted once, and that was on some Toasted Raviolas that were just too greasy for me to tolerate. I sleep much better now, and there has benn NO hair loss so far.

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

Waiting and coping with sorting out which procedure was best.

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

My scar from open BPD/DS is about 7 inches long and has healed well. It does itch occasionally.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

many of my aquaintances have congratulated me on having the "Guts" to do something about my obesity problem. I have recieved many compliments on my weight loss and appearance.