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

I first found out about surgery from TV and hearing about other people in my area who have had the surgery. I discounted the surgery at first then realized it may be the only way I will get my life back. After extensive research I knew this was an option I needed to consider, and I'm glad I did.

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

I was very fortunate that my insurance company put no barriers up for me to get surgery.

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

I met Dr. Siddiqui after doing extensive research and talking to people about surgeries that he had performed. In our first meeting I had many specific questions and he was able to answer them all. Dr Siddiqui was very knowledgeable and helped me understand some of the finer points of my procedure.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew surgery was the only way I was getting my life back, so the final decision for me was not hard.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

From the start I knew that I wanted Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. After researching all the various options I believe I picked the best surgery 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 had very little fear about having the surgery. I was more scarred of dying before I was able to have surgery. My only concern was infection, this is why I chose to have laparoscopic 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?

My wife had some reservations about me having surgery but after talking to other people and doing research of her own she understood and supported my decision to continue. I was very open to everyone about having surgery, I never tried to hide it from anyone. My family, friends, and community have been very supportive of me.

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

Fortunately I am self-employed, so the boss (me) thought it was a good idea. I was out for only a week.

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

My stay at Good Samaritan Hospital was remarkable. Their new bariatric unit is like staying in an upscale hotel.

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

I have had no complications what so-ever.

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

After surgery I had little discomfort or pain. I was very pleased with how I felt and had no anxiety.

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

The first few weeks were an adjustment, especially trying to sleep. I was not able to lay in my bed and slept in my chair, but I was use to that because before surgery I did this many-a-night with my one year old daughter.

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

I traveled an hour for surgery and my visits. If its important - the distance won't matter.

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 there were very few things I couldn't eat, then all the sudden I couldn't tolerate skim milk, so I switched to lactose free milk, now I'm back on regular milk. What I can tolerate changes from month to month, one time I eat something and no problems, the next time it may not agree with me.

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

I started walking right-away after surgery. It was December, but my wife and I had purchased a treadmill so I could walk inside. I always pushed myself to go further.

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

I take Flinstone Complete Vitamins and B-12 Sublingual. I incorporate Any Whey Protein and Upcal D Calcium into my diet anyway I can.

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?

Sleeping was the only persistant difficulty I had at first. I have never had dumping, or any hair loss. I was a little nauseas and vomited a couple times, this has been controlled with learning what caused it and avoided that type of food.

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

The worst part of surgery was removing the tape that held my IV and other tubes to my body. I am a very hairy, and removing those things was the worst pain I felt.

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

I go online to chat with people.

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

My scars are very minimal with laparoscopic surgery. I am very pleased with how I look.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not yet experienced a plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are amazed at how I look, I have lost 210 pounds in 8 months. I had surgery December 5, 2006 and over the winter months you don't see as many people, I felt like a spring flower blossoming as people saw the new me for the first time.