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

My brother-in-law had the surgery done about 21/2 years ago. I thought it sounded really dangerous and not something I wanted at first.

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

I had really no problem with this area. I was approved in about 6 weeks

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

A very positive one. Dr. Baker was very good although I later thought somewhat too simplictic and a mater of fact type of feeling. Ask,ask and ask questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My gall bladder was giving me problems and I was fiquring killing two birds with one stone type of attitude. What else do I have to lose.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Baker was trained for lap for the RNY and my internest suggested him highly. I trusted him and went with that.

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?

Well yes there is that fear of dying on the operating table, but in my case my gall bladder was extremely bad and that in itself could have killed me. Not to mentioned that being 355 pounds could have killed me in my sleep. I had high blood pressure, diabetes, high triglcerides, high chlorestrol,depression,sleep apnea and the list goes on. Yes you could possibly die having the surgery. And yes you could die of obesity also.

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?

Mixed from my wife. My sister also had the surgery three weeks before mine so we had something in common there. Great support from sister afterwards.

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

No. problem here. The truth. I was off about three weeks.

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

I had my surgery in a large hospital. Now they, being the hospital tried to have all bariatric surgery on the 7th floor. But in my case I had three roommates in two days. Cleaning the room in the middle of the night receiving new roomnates at all hours. My stay was horrible. fortunately I went home in two day. Thank God.

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

No complications from the surgery at all.

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 tired at first. The first 2-3 weeks are the worst. Mentally you hear from others that is will get better. Hang in there it does.

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

Sleeply and being uncomfortable. I did get sick to my stomach a few times the first few months. Be careful not to overdo it. Do what they tell you. Surgery was done on the stomach not the brain. Things change with time.

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

Surgery was in my city. 5 miles. This did not affect my aftercare at all.

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.

Prior and after surgery I was on a high protein supplement that the doctors required. A two week liquid fast before surgery and I was on the same drink two weeks after surgery. High fat foods and hig sugary foods. After the two week period soft foods were introduced. i.e. mashed potatoes and cottage cheese. Puddings (no-sugar added.) things like that. Some foods are by trial and error. You will not know unless you try them. I mean foods that are allowed.

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

Started walking month or two out. Need to increase activity level all the time.

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

I take a product called Reliv a natural and highly boosted supplement. above the daily recommended level of vitamins and minerals

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 would have to say vomiting was the worst. Over the course of a year I have vomitted probably 20-24 times. Now some of these times were because I drank water right after I ate not remembering not to do that. sometimes the food did not agree with me at all. I had to self induce to alleve the churning that I felt inside. A totally different experience.

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

The vomiting I guess I would have to say, because I do not like to do that kindof thing. Yuk.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have several plateaues since my surgery Last year. I am now experiencing something that is baffeling the experts. I still need to lose 60-80 pounds and I have not lost any weight in about 4 months actually I have gained a few pounds. I have done journaling of food intake and am exercising. This also happen to me two years ago on a medical fast before the surgery. Lost the weight and when I went on full foods. Started to gain like there was no tomorrow. Now again it is happening all over. Not a pleasant feeling. Dietian checking my food diaries. Could not find problem. I am eating between 1000-1300 calories day or more like 1100 a day. May possibly be medication reacting to me. Who knows. This is very frustrating. Have had new blood test run to see if blood is okay. Stay tuned.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

A little not to much.