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

I have several friends who have had such surgeries and I knew I had to do something so that I could be around to see my children grow up.

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

My insurance coverage was, thankfully, very good and fast in approving my surgery. I had no issues other than a 14 day wait and the general problems convincing my PCP to fill out the appropriate paperwork.

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

My surgeon was very confident, respectful, and did not talk down to me. It was refreshing to talk to someone in the medical community who did not view me as inferior or make me feel as though he did, simply based on my appearance.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The biggest motivator for me was the before/after photos on OH.com. Every time I got discouraged, I would look through them and that was all the motivation I needed.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I work in a sleep disorders center, and the medical director loaded me down with data and studies comparing the banding, RNY, and DS surgeries. I decided on the Lap-Band based on the safety and efficacy in those studies.

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 worried that I would have extraordinary problems with the anesthesia. For those who are worrying, I would say that the surgery will give you the chance to live, rather than just existing. That, alone, is worth the risk.

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 wife was worried, but relieved when she was presented with the data on the safety of the procedure. She even had banding herself 6 months later!

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

My emplyer was very supportive of my decision. I was out of work for a week. She was also my sleep disorders specialist, so she knew the potential benefits of WLS, and helped me along with my approval process.

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

I was in the hospital for less than 24 hours. My stay was fine, other than a very inexperienced phlebotomist spending nearly 30 minutes poking and prodding me to get a few vials of blood.

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

A small nick in one of my abdominal arteries caused some concern, but I was up and moving about within an hour or so, and driving my nurses nuts with my incessant walking hehe.

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 anxious, but not due to fears. I am an impatient person by nature, so things just couldn't happen fast enough!

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

I took it easy for the week following my surgery. I work in a low-physical activity profession, so I was back to working overtime the next week! I recommend that everyone pay close attention to the advice of their surgeon. There is a reason they get paid the big bucks. Let them take care of you!

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

I travelled about 25 miles from home for my surgery, so aftercare was not a problem.

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 still don't tolerate bread well, especially toast. Some meats give me indigestion. This has been pretty constant throughout. I suppose I am one of the lucky ones.

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

Up and walking laps around the hospital unit 2 hours after waking up (would have been sooner but my nurse was on lunch hehe). I was back to normal a week after, and lifting weight about 2 weeks after that. I work out daily with heavy weights and cardio currently (8 months post-op)

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

I take a Centrum chewable vitamin daily. I did the protein powder and Slim-Fast shakes, but my dietary protein is high enough to eliminate those.

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?

Vomitting if I try to eat bread, or don't chew enough. Sleeping on the side of my port was difficult for the first few weeks. Everything is fine as long as I play by the rules!

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

Waiting!

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

I am on my own now. I am able to continue monthly meetings at Jewish Hospital's WLC, but my schedule simply doesn't allow for it.

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

Slight, and about 2 1/2" long. I notice it much more than other people do.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Currently plateaued at 133 lbs. lost. I have had only one fill, though, so I expect it is simply time for another.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People appear to be more respectful. Those who know about my surgery are encouraging in their demeanor.