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

I found out about it on TV...Then did my own research. I thought this is it, my last ray of hope.

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

I had a very good experience. I went to a seminar that Baylor had regarding WLS. Within the package they gave out to us was a Diet History. According to the Co-Ordinator Aetna required at least 1 supervised diet possibly two. Well I contact my PCP the next day and went on yet another diet. I documented all other diets, had my PCP, Ortheopedic Surgion, and my Sleep Apena Dr. write letters on my behalf. Two weeks after all my paper work was submitted I was approved.

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

My first visit was awesome, It lasted about 3 hours he explained the entire process, went over a complete package and explained the pro and cons. I was ready.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

This was not a hard decision.. At 413 pounds it was a life or death thing. If I did not have the surgery I might not be writing this now.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted an Open RNY. The decesion was easy, Open or LAP RNY is the only proceedure my surgeons do.

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 had no fears about dying. First I new I had the BEST surgeons I could want. And second, I put it all in Gods hands.

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?

They were very supportive. They are very proud of my accomplishements.

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

Very supportive as well. I was out 6 weeks after surgery. The seventh week I went back to work 1/2 days, the 8th week full time.

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

My hospital stay was very good. All the staff at Baylor werw wonderful. I had surgery on Friday morning and went home Sunday afternoon. I just brought my self, tooth brush and a change of cloths.

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

According to my surgeon it was a text book case. No complications 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?

For several weeks after surgery I was very week and tired. In doing post op blood work my Dr's found my irol level to be low. I started to take Slow FE and I feel like a new peoson.

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

I took it real slow. Did not want to eat or drink. I found that not drinking was very bad, as it lead to kidney stones. So I drink alot now.

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

I had to travel about 30 mins. 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.

I lived on S/F popsciles for the first month or two. I can eat chicken, tuna fish, or other white fish, turkey, refried and baked beans, cottege cheese and regular cheese very well. Steak is a problem most of the time. Also I cannot tolorate raw veggies, they just to now sit well with me. Also Water to this day still sometime does not sit well.

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

After about the 3rd week I started to get back to normal activity, just at a slower pace

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

I take a sublingual B12 once a week. I take slow-fe twice a week, and I take a s/f tums daily.

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?

Do not reallyh experience any of the above.

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

Getting up for the leak test the following morning. I felt like I had been hit by a Mac truck.

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

We have a monthly support group meeting as well as a web site that both surgeons are active on. I feel this is very import to your success....

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

My scare is actually smaller than I expected it is about 5-6 inches long.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had only one plateau, it lasted about 3 weeks. But that was OK, because you body needs to readjust. I just followed the program and everything kicked back in again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, Everyone is friendlier. I just don't understand, I'm the same person inside.