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

First hand from a life long friend who had the surgery last year. Initially I thought it was too extreme.

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

Easy as pie with my insurance because of the number of co-morbidities.

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

Unusual. Dr. Leggett is a pleasant but introverted guy. He sends his residents in to do the leg work and spend minimal time with his patients. That's OK because I had three surgeons instead of one. All very pleasant people.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Health and a life expectancy which I was stretching to it's limit.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted laproscopic surgery with a minimum of lost time and a maximum effect. The laproscopic Roux-en-Y was what I chose.

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?

Just issues with poor oxygen saturation and apnea. The physicians were careful and made sure everything was OK.

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?

All were supportive. They like the changes. If I would have communicated anything I say be sure to be certain because it takes away cravings and severly limits the amount you eat. It is a profound change. In my case I have no regrets, the change in my appearance and they way people treat wins over what I may have lost.

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

The hospital I stayed at does many of these surgeries. It is almost like a factory, but that's OK. They know what they are doing and got the work done properly and without any problems.

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

Apnea from pain killers and anasthesia. I was on oxygen most of the time. I am OK for now and continue with my CPAP. I am looking forward to improvement in the apnea.

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

With the laprascopic surgey I felt great within 6 days and back to work in 18 days. I feel fine except for a little pain in one of the larascopic incisions (no sign of infection - pain is minor).

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

I had to spend a lot of time getting used to what and how to eat. I learned all about "dumping syndrome" when I broke the rules and had 4 oz of strawberry milkshake. DON'T DO THAT! Stick to the rules, eat small amounts up to six times a day and wait 30 minutes before drinking anything.

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

Near home.

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.

Week 1 - liquids Week 2 - soft solids and bits of heavier solids. Week 3 - most anything except for Pasta, Bread and other carbohydrates which swell up in the stomach. I CAN NOT EAT SUGARY FOODS - the consequences are too severe! Dumping syndrome, sweating, shaking, vomiting etc etc. 4 oz. of milkshake resulted almost immediately in 3 hours of misery.

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

Week 1 - slow walks - up two hours after recovery. Week 2- moving about OK, up and down stairs and doing light work around teh house. Week 3 - at about 80% strength and doing heavier work around the house. Taking naps in the afternoon helps. Week 4 - I will go back to work.

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

I take 2 Flintstone chewable vitamins (1 am & 1 pm) - em em good. Also drink calcium orange juice and small glass of milk.

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?

Besides dumping if I break the 30 minute rule and drink when eating I will almost immediately vomit. It is very uncomfortable and takes a bit of work to make sure that I don't drink anything (my mind will say go ahead but my memory says NO).

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

One on one with a friend who is a member of ObesityHelp.com

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

Laprascopic results in minimal scaring , five small puntures about closed to about 1 in.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Too early.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. They all are positive and upbeat. My Family no longer enables me to overeat because they know I can't.