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

Suggestion of my pulmonary doctor. Skeptical at first until I researched it thoroughly.

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

I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield Federal. Gastric Bypass is specifically listed as being covered if you are 100 pounds overweight, so preapproval is not necessary. But most doctors will insist upon it anyway.

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

Pleasant, he took the time to explain everything to me. I would suggest you write down any questions you have so you don't forget anything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Being diagnosed with Severe Sleep Apnea.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Recommendation of surgeon.

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?

It was in the back of my mind, but knowing that I probably wouldn't live much longer in my condition was a motivating factor.

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?

Wife was very supportive. I waited until the last minute to inform my mother, as I knew she would be very worried. Everyone is very supportive post op.

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

I am retired.

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

My hospital was Baptist Memorial in Oxford, MS. Overall my stay was a good one. The ICU unit was excellent. I had to stay in ICU one night as a precaution because of my co-morbidities. When I was moved to a regular floor that attention was not as good as the ICU, but they were understaffed, so I understood. I had to stay 4 days for a Lap RNY.

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

No complications

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

Had very loose bowel movements for a week or two, but this is normal. Slightly sore, but overall felt better everyday. Had gas, but nothing more than pre-op. Walking 30 minutes everyday helped alot. No real anxiety.

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

Adjusting to not eating anything hardly. Luckily the surgery caused most people not to be hungry. I know it didn't me.

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

60 miles.

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.

I am only 7 weeks out so I am still on soft foods. For the first two weeks I was on clear liquids. For the next 4 weeks I was on full liquids and I am on my first week of soft foods.

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

I started off walking 30 minutes a day and after 7 weeks I am up to an hour a day.

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

I take a multivitamin, a B1 tablet, a Prevacid and an effexor everyday. I also take a B12 shot monthly. The Prevacid is to prevent ulcers in my pouch and the effexor is for appetite contro.

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 am not had any of these issues.

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

Getting up and walking the first day after surgery.

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

Obesityhelp.com

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

I have seven small scars that seem to be healing well.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had been losing 5-7 pounds a week since surgery. Since I have started soft foods, it seems this has slowed a little.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not really, I don't think I have lost enough weight yet for people to really notice. I am still wearing most of my old shirts, so it is hard to tell I have lost 50 pounds.