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

I have seen it on Discovery and found people who went through it that I worked with. The results were amazing. I was hopeful, tentative, and perhaps somewhat doubtful, not to mention somewhat afraid I would be turned down.

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

I had no problems due to my diagnosis and my other health related problems.

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

Research, study, and more research. Do your homework and most of all........ DO NOT BE AFRAID OF ASKING QUESTIONS!!!! Even if you think they are silly questions, ask. Your surgeon will respect you moreso if you go in informed and it is YOUR HEALTH you are dealing with. After all of this is done, research more and ask more questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My Health, My Children and my WIFE who are my entire life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

This is the hardest part of the research and decision. It was ultimately deciding I needed a drastic life change to commence "Living for a change".

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 haven't had the surgery yet and this is still a fear. Do I want to live without living or do I want to be able to live a life with my family? This is something everyone has to ask themselves and I for one, know what my choice was and is.

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

Depends upon which stay you are referring to. Had several stays due to complications and some were better than others. Over-all, Shands has a great staff and they are for the most part, sensitive to the patients needs.

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

MANY and MAJOR complications involved. Esophogus continued to contract and would not allow me to take in fluids or anything else. Had to have the surgery redone after 12 attempts at dialation not working. Was not a pleasant proceedure during any of this period.

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 wondered if this was truly the right decision for me and my family. I had doubts, insecurities and emotional break-downs to mention a few. YOU have to have the emotional strength to go on once you have made the choice. If not, you will end up where you began and this is not what this "last-decision" proceedure is all about.

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

Lethargic, tired, feeling helpless........ Just wanting to resume a "normal life" is a part of what you will go through. It is truly an emotional roller-coaster at this point and you begin to question doing what you did.

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

I travelled approximately 300 miles to Gainesville, Fl. Was a LONG way away from my surgeon and took many trips back to have results finalized. WIshed I could have been closer, but thanks to e-mail, Dr. Hocking was most gracious in his replies and concerns.

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.

Almost 2 years Post-Op and I still cannot do Milk, Citrus Juices/Fruits and greasy foods. After surgery, I noticed I ate a lot of grits, soups, and began to build up. I still eat small amounts and get full quicker. DO NOT TRY TO EAT EVERYTHING ON YOUR PLATE!!!!! Once you are full, stop! You can go back later if you want, but you must stop yourself. THis is where training and learning come into play. It is a life-long learning experience, but one you must learn.

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

Had to force myself to keep moving, walking and increase activity. Now, I still walk approximately 3 miles per day and am feeling better and better. It will come, but you don't really think you will ever get to the point you were before. Maintain your work-outs by walking and swimming during your first year. Once this is done, begin light workouts with weights. It doesn't take a lot to maintain and heavy weights can actually do more harm than good.

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

I take: B-12 Injections weekly, along with 2000mcg B-12 daily. Calcium supplements 2x daily, iron supplements 2x daily, Multivitamins 2x daily, Vit.C 2x daily, Zinc 2x daily and have just had my blood work done for my annual physical. All counts are fine and I will continue to perform this regiment daily for the rest of my life.

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?

HAIR LOSS and vomiting were the worse. My hair loss has stopped as did the vomiting, but each person has different effects and deals with them differently. My wife and children were my rocks when I would get sick. I could not have gone through this ordeal without their strength and support.

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

The uncertainty of asking would I live through this or not and what would the final "product" act, look, and be like?

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

I have had only my family and nothing more. This may/may not be enough for many, but it was for me.

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

I have a small scar left, and it's becoming less and less noticible as time goes on. It has started "hurting" somewhat recently and I don't understand this, but....... I think I'll survive given what other experiences I went through.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have leveled off at approximately 195-200 lbs and have gone from a size 56 down to a 38x32 pants size. From a 3-4XL Shirt to a size 16 1/2 neck and a ring size 15 to a 10. EVEN MY FEET have gotten smaller. I have gone from a size 13-14 to a size 12! The changes in my clothes (cost and style) are amazing and still at times hard to believe!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

They seem to respect me more and not be "turned off" by the "fat-boy" sitting there talking with them. Women are actually coming up to me to ask me to dance when I go out now and my wife really doesn't care for that! It's a nice confidence booster.