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

I got a letter from a St. Louis hospital descibing it and offering a video tape to explain the surgery. I sent for the tape, watched it and then went to my pcp and asked him what he thought. His reccommendation was if insurrance would not pay for the surgery I should take out a loan and pay for it myself.

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

The only advice I have would be to get your pcp involved

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

Dr. de la Torre told me he was going to try to talk me out of the surgery. He then started telling me about the risks. When I told him my pcp recommended it that kind of stopped things and we set the date.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to lose the weight and when my pcp approved it there really was no other choice

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

From the video tape

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 knew there was a possiblity of dying but where I was at the risk was worth it. This was one of the least painfull operations I have ever had. The afternoon after surgery I was walking the halls and that evening I attended the support meeting.

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 especially my wife was a little nervous. I took her to a support meeting prior to surgery and that helped her tremendously.

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

There was little reaction from my employer. I was off work for 2 weeks

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

My hospitat stay was great. The staff was friendly and helpful. I could not have asked for better treatment.

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?

From the time I got home I started feeling better. After 2 weeks out I commented that it did not seem right that I should feel so good so soon.

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

Everything went smoothly. I would say the one worry is rather I was over eating. I have never gotten really sick, I have reached a point where I thought I would throw up but never have. I still worry about over eating. None of us want to return to what we were.

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

I drove my wife and I to the hospital, about 6 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.

The first week home I could eat cream soup after pureeing it. Also sugar free jello and popcycles. I then went on protien drink and pureed food. I now can eat fish, chicken, salads and veggies. At 6 months I can start eating ground meat.

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

I have not had much of a limitation on what I can do. I feel better so I think I do more. I try to bike 6 to 10 miles an evening and on weekends I ride 20 to 30 miles. My legs are getting better so I am going further each week.

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

I take vitamin b12, 1000mg once a week, one a day multivitamin every day and iron tablets 3 times a week

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 have had very little side effects at this time.

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

Waiting to have it done.

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

Dr Scott's office has a support meeting every Wednesday at 5:30pm. This has helped me tremendously. I learn something new each week, recipes, or mentally.

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

The scar is menimal due largely to the fact that it was done laprscopicly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

So far I have had one week early on that I did not loose weight. I loss more per week in the early stages, now I have been averaging 3 to 4lbs a week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I hear a lot of people saying this but I don't notice any differnce.