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

Heard about it years ago, thought it wasn't for me, had enough operations on my body.

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

Don't lose hope, or think that this will never happen, try to remain positive all the way.

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

Very informative, Ask every question imagineable, write them down , ask away .

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Couldn't do it any more, i couldn't keep up with my kids, didn't want to try after a while. wanted to be around to see them grow up, and enjoy the rest of my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Didn't matter at the time, i just wanted it.

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?

Doing my wil was the scariest part, not sure why i am doing this, more people die on the road than in surgical procedures, and i have to drive 3 hours to chicago, that was fearful enough.

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 have supported me so far, all think it is a good idea.

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

My boss thought it was ok, I work for the Dept of Veteran Affairs. So my leave was a time earned issue. They were very supportive, because it was going to improve my health, which means i hope to become a more proactive employee.

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

Hospital stay was ok, i was in for 4 days, i just brought a pair of shorts, i refused to wear the gowns,

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

had some nausea, you can't drink anything, i was sucking to much water from the wash cloth, and chewing to much ice.

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

My surgical date came up qiuicker than anticipated, but i went with it, i was rerady to get started.

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

Uncomfortable, staples suck big time, they were the worst from the surgery, once they were out i was fine. Trting to find a comfortable place to sleep was another one, i have slpet on my stomache all my life, kinda hard after surgery, but 3 weeks after i was pretty much back on my stomache.

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

It is 2 and half hours or so from Oakwood to Maywood depending on the traffic around chicago.

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 was on clear liquids for 2 days and then pureed food before i left the hospital. After that it was whatever i could tolerate. I was eating solid food with in 7-10 days, lot of soups, chili, pasta, noodles, mash photatoes, at almost 4 weeks, i eat whatever i want.

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

Pretty much walked as little as possible, didnt want to do anything the first week, have to force yourself to get up and do stuff, once the real food kicks in, energy levels go up.

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

They gave me a B-12 shot the morning after surgery, and been taking 2 flinstone chewables every morning since. I started looking for more protein in what ever i could find, it was hard to find 60 grams a day.

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?

Nausea was bad to start, then subsided. Sleeping was the worst because i am a tummy sleeper, but you get tired enough, you'll sleep anywhere.

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

LOL, the drive to Chicago. The NG/nasal gastric tube in my nose, but that came out the next day. Not being able to drink anything for 2 days, that was rough.

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

My time frame and supposrt meetings dont jive right now, but i hope to meet next month.

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

10 inches or so, pretty much as anticipated.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes they try to make sure i have enough to eat, it is funny.