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

I first asked one of my doctors about it following bowel obstruction surgery in 1990. The surgeon said he would not recommend the surgery as the failure rate and complications were too high at that time. After I had cardiac by-pass surgery in 2000, my PCP suggest I look into gastric by-pass surgery. Over the next several years, I spoke with a good number of doctors whom I know. Most of them were of the opinion that the procedure had advanced enough that the risks were outweighed by the benefits. Because of intervening health issues including several surgeries, I delayed beginning the process. I finally startered the required supervised diet after being cleared by my cardiologist and PCP. At this point I began searching for a surgeon. Finally in July, I decided on the surgeon who best fit my needs. I now have a surgery date for January, 2007

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

No problem it was all handled by the surgeon's office staff.

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

It was very open. I asked some pointed questions regarding his personal morbidity and mortality data which I thought he might find offensive. To my surprise and delight, he said it was a good and legimate question. He then proceeded to provide all the information I was seeking. You need to ask all of your questions and if you don't understand something seek clarification. Even though you are consulting with the Doctor, you are also interviewing him/her for the job of doing your surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Inability to do things I wanted was getting worse. When 3 different doctors told me I neede the surgery or be in a wheel chair in 9 - 12 months, that made the choice fairly simple.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Recommendation of several doctors and my insurance company. Also, I did a great deal of research about the various procedures and felt the RNY was the best for 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 certainlyt have those fears. But I also know that the quality of my life will degenerate greatly over the next 3 years or so if I do not have the surgery. It was a matter of answering the question to I want to be able to live life or become bed bound and a burden on my family.

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?

For the most part they were very supportive. Some of my immediate family were concerned about the surgical risks because of my previous history. Since the surgery, I have had nothing but support.

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

My employer was very supportive. Considering that our Director is a doctor, he gave me his complete support. I was off work for 9 weeks. There were complications due to the anethesia (sp?) and then it was necessary to go to rehab.

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

Initially, it was very bad. I spent 3 days in recovery. This was followed by 5 days in the trauma unit and then 10 days in Cardiac Care unit. The main problem was that I was not permitted out of bed in the CCU. The muscles in my legs became week and I needed to spend 2 weeks in a rehab facility. Then additional time at home with in-home thearpy.

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

Not sure. I suspect I was given too much anesthesia as I spent 3 days in recover and most of that time on a ventilator. I was not aware of my surroundings until the 3rd day when I began to regain my senses. prior to that I could hear but could not speak or open my eyes.

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 releived to finally have a date. The time went fast. I was looking forward to beginning a new life.

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

I don't think my first few weeks were typical. I had a difficult time getting around at all. Most of my time was spent doing the exercises prescribed ny the thearpists.

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

About 6 miles

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.

In am only 10 weeks out. The liquid diet did not last long about 2 weeks. Then I was put on soft foods -- mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, yogurt, mashed yams for another 3 weeks. I was then allowed to add chicken, turkey and fish in small quantities. I have not been able to tolerate pasta, bread, beef, pork, ham, lamb. They all tend to clog my pouch and that is not fun. Small amounts of cheese are great.

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

Very limited because of the week muscles in my legs

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

Multiple vitamin, B12, iron and stool softner

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, vomitting. Still going on after 6 months.

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

The extend hospital and rehab stay

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

Obesity help dot com is the only support group I have. I find this to be of great assistance.

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

Not as bad as I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Currently on a two week plateau at 137 lbs loss.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really.