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

ON the front page of People magazine, Carney Phillips. I thought it would be wonderful if I could get this sort of thing done.

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

I got insurance approval right away, first try. Anybody who doesn't get first time approval, keep trying, don't give up. It's worth a fight if you have to fight.

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

It was very informative and I liked him immediately. He answered all my questions and told me about all the risk. Questions, ask question's. Write them down, go armed with every thing you are even curious about, and ask, ask them all. Don't be afraid to say you don't understand something, ask to have it explained again if need be. Get comfortable with your surgeon and his staff.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided that I deserve this surgery, I owe it to myself to have this done if I can no matter what. I want to live, I want to see my son graduate and join the Navy. I want to be comfortable for a change. I don't want to spend what's left of my life swallowing pill's to try and stay alive a little longer and to hurt a little less, I want to at least like myself before my time is up. I want people to see and know me, not see and not want to know me, I want a CHANCE.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The treatment center and surgeons at this center only do the one open roux-en-y-RNY. It's effective and permanent. That's waht I want.

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 have none of these fears, my only fear is not being allowed or able, for what ever reason, to have the surgery. I will deal with these fears if they develope after the fact. I can't tell anyone how to feel, I only know that I'm having this surgery, fear or no fear.I believe it's worth it.

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 didn't get any negative reactions from my family except my sister who is jealous, even though there is no need to be, she is beautiful. I got no negative reactions from my friends, I only told very close friends and co-workers. One of my co-workers did stress concern due to the fact that her sister had a bad experience with this surgery, but there were other complications there. I wish I could have not told anyone about this, i wanted it to be my own private for myself thing to do. But now that I have told them they are being very supportive so far and I am glad of that.

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

my employer only had a problem with all the appointments I had that clashed with my work schedule while I was being approved by the surgeon as a canidate for the surgery. After all those and I could actually put in for medical leave, my employer had no problem with it. I started out not telling them what the surgery was for just incase my surgeon didn't approve me, then as soon as he did, I told them what the surgery was for and they still had no problem with it.My surgeon put a general 6 to 8 weeks recovery time on my request for medial leave, but that may change after I have had my surgery , I will update then. Now that it's done and gone, i can tell you that I had to be out of work the whole 8 weeks, I could do no lifting of anykind.

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

My stay in the hospital was uncomfortable and somewhat painful naturally, I was there for 4 days. The hospital where I was was wonderful compared to any other hospital I have ever been in though, and most of the staff was wonderful as well. I didn't need anything that I did bring, the hospital I was at more than provided everything I needed, if they had not I would say maybe a robe.

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

The only complication i had was a surprise to everyone including me, my surgeon found a very large abdominal hyrnia after he got started that no one including me knew was there, so my surgeon also repaired that as well. It left me having to have a much larger incision than planned on, but I tried to look at it like it needed to be done so that's just that. I also had much more pain than expected due to this extra work and the hospital staff got that under control ASAP.

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 only excited, that's all just excited.

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

My first few days home, I was really sore and scared of hurting myself. It is almost imparative that U have someone there to help U. Showers were the scariest for me, I had a drain still in when I came home and it made everything uncomfortable for me. I was at day 10 before I ever felt actualy hungry for the first time and an ounce of something high protein fixed that. This is a time for healing and it's also the time when I first began to miss the things I had always eaten, not hungry just habit I guess, something crunchy, something salty. But this is time to heal and I just ralaxed and followed my surgeons instructions and I was fine. Everyday I am getting a little better and feeling better. Oh yes, walk, walk, walk, it will make U feel so much better.

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

It is about a 45 minute drive from where I live to where I had the surgery, not to bad, so far after care has not been a problem.

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.

The first problem I experienced was dairy, after I went from clear liquids to full liquids. It passed in a couple of days after my stomach got used to it, and so far no other problems.

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

I was up and moving very well before I ever left the hospital, they made sure of that, and it's a wonderful thing, the first day home I decided I didn't want to get out and walk, I regretted it the next day, i felt terrible. As long as I walk atleast 30 minutes everyday, I feel better and am getting better everyday.

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

The only vitamins required by my sfter care program is 2 sugar free chewable Bugs Bunny Vitamins everyday, and so far it's enough. Protein is also very important right now and I am getting plently of that through the things I eat.

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 have been nausious a few times, but that is all the side affect I have had so far. I vomited once, it was from not chewing my food good enough.

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

The first few days after surgery, the pain and not being able to even drink anything. But I am getting better and I am still glad I did this.

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

Just blood work every 3 months for my surgeon to monitor, and support from my family and friends. The most wonderful supportive thing that happens for me is when people notice, and ask me what I'm doing, and tell me that I look great. That is the best medacine.

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

My scar looks pretty good so far, it is still red and puffy but it is still new. I actually had an old scar from a previous surgery and it was awful, but my surgeon fixed it, it looks 100% better than it did. & months post-op my scar has become what I am told is a Keloid scar, it's ugly and painful sometimes and itches a bit, but the results of the surgery make it worth while.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have already hit my first plateau, at 4 weeks out. I haven't lost an ounce in 2 weeks. My weight loss has bounced from 1 pound a week to 10 pounds a week, at 7 months I have lost 77 pounds and have hit another plateau, no weight loss in 3 weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My fiancee laughs at me because some of my cloths are getting to big. People that i haven't seen in a while are amazed and tell me how good I look.