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

Had heard about it on tv, at first I though it was crazy

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

My surgeon, Dr. Noel Williams of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center contacted my insuracne company. I never talke to the company myself. I was approved in 3 days by mail

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

I was very impressed with Doctor Williams and his staff. Very professional yet very caring. Start writing down all your questions now so you are prepared to have them all answered at your first consult

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was the end of the line I tried every diet know to man. I knew I couldn't live much longer feeling the way I did. Attending a live support group meeting at my hospital, and meeting other folks who had the surgery and had sucess helped me to make my decision

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon is one of the best in the country, I guess we all say that. He does all types of gastric surgery, he took one look at me an said "we can do you laproscopic" I left it up to his good judgement! I knew I wanted rny I had a lot of weight to lose and it offers the best shot for large long term weight loss

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?

Initally I had a lot of fear but after meeting with the Dr. some of it was put aside, as I met more and more folks who had the surgery my fear really disapated. My health is very good except for the sleep apena and I was a good canidate for the sugery.

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 family and friends were completely supportive of the surgery!

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

I talked to my employer and he has know me for 20 years, he was completely behind me. I was out of work for 4 weeks, could have gone back sooner but I had the time and didn't want to push it!

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

I was on morphine for the first two weeks I don't remember much. After I got off the pain killers things were pretty good, not much pain. No problem on liquid proteins.

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.

Meat, greasy foods, breads. Still can't eat meat 3 years post.

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

At 3 weeks I was up and around doing light work around the house. Back to my office job after a month.

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

Chewable adult vitamins and B-12 sub-lingual

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

Laprosopic, very small scars.