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

My family Physician informed me. I thought I was too old for the surgery at 51, but he said I would do fine. I did

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

I had no serious problems. I would recommend persons see their physicians and get their weight issues treated, so the insurance company can see you have tried other types of weight loss, and have medical complications as a result of the weight.

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

To the point, but I am a medical professional, and she may not have felt I needed a lot of unnecessary instruction. I had done my homework, so she was correct

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The risk of long term health issues

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The advice of the 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?

I had few fears, but any I had were groundless. Probably fear from pain, which I frankly had only moderately

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 all very supportive before and after surgery

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

They understood my health risks and were supportive of the surgery

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

I stayed at the Bariatric Treatment hospital in Groveport, Ohio. Excellent experience. Dedicated to those who need this surgery, and experts in the field

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

None

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 really had no anxiety. I suffered a little depression immediately after surgery, but I beleive that was due to the anesthetic adjustment. It was the first time I had ever had surgery.

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

More nausea then expected, particularly when taking medications, but no vomiting. Got a little tired of liquids during that 6 week period

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

10 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 have trouble still with breads, pastas, etc. Something about the texture I think. I started out with quite a bit of diarrhea, and thought that would never end. However, at 4 months, it is under control as long as I avoid high fat foods

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

Very low

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

I have not tolerated vitamins well, have not yet mastered that issue

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?

Dumping probably, though not severe. Lasted about 8 weeks

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

Demerol given IV in the hospital. I did not like the way I felt, and in fact did much better with oral pain medications. I felt better immediately coming off the Demerol.

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

I am involved in none, but have found few problems that I need the support group

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

It is healing nicely, though it is a large midline abdominal scar

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had various plateaus, I stay the same weight for several weeks, then will drop multiple pounds in one week. At this point, I am loosing an average of 2.5 pounds per week

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, except many do comment on my weight loss