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

It was recommended by my doctor and heart doctor, and the usbariatric was recommended by them also. And looking into other bariatric medical centers, and attending many of their imfo support meetings, and inquiring my self into them and surgeons, staff, and the bariatric center them selfs. I was very satisfied with usbariatrics center in Ft.Lauderdale , Fl. Dr. Mermanan who him self and many of the staff went through the surgery them selfs. And tells me they can tell me after and before the surgery that they know them selfs what I would be going through and know what I am feeling after the surgery. Cause they them selfs went through it....Proof that it works and they were there to help through personal experiance.

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

I believe this part of the road of bariatric surgery is the worst part of it, the surgery and after it, was not a problem. This was seven years ago, and believe me, back then it was just a hard and frustrating as many now are going through. My wife was my support team, she was my secretary. She did all the phone calls, paper chasing, getting past to another person via phone call. Frustration and fed-up with the insr company them selfs. And the excuses the insr gave her and the why I shouldn't follow up with the surgery, telling us the 1% death rate from it, etc.....making us fell wasting our time to get the surgery. And even though our doctor's, and all signs showing I needed for my health and life on this earth and for my self and family. But I must tell each one going through this paper war, KEEP ON KEEPING ON....don't give up....fight for it, find another insr company that will help, seek other folks that have gone or going through it, go to support meetings, inquire, talk to your support staff at the bariatric center. Don't let the INSR/Company change your mind on your future by this surgery, how can it not change your health and future through this? They don't want to spend money and will do what they can to block it....DON"T LET THEM, KEEP fighting.....its your future and health.

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

It was great,he was concerned about my weight and health for me and my family. MY wife was with me all the time and he also showed her what plus I will get and family will get out of this. Assured us both about it all from day one till I left the hospital and even after all the follow ups till he felt I was following the instrustions and doing what I had to do, with exams,diets,vitims/check ups,blood work, the whole situation to be sure. I was always happy to answer any question I have, and told us if we need to contact him, he gave us his cell number to talk to him, and would get back to us ASAP....If most folks would listen carefull and follow what doctors tell you, can't go wrong. And the most important thing to do.....DON"T BE SCARED....ASK QUESTIONS,no matter how silly or uniportant you think it is....ASK.....follow up, do what he says, and the staff at the center.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Only couple of things, my health, my family, my children, better way of living, and just getting back to becoming thin again and healthy. Remember, you do it for your self first,then family,children,friends, but most important, YOUR HEALTH and hanging around longer with loved ones.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon who was going do the surgery discussed the different procedures. We talked about each one....and since my weight was pretty high(about 400lb plus)the open was a better choice for my weight. All that excess fat to try and get around with lap-band,and felt the time between them both in losing the weight was a factor for my health. We all came to agreement and went with the open. And if I was asked to do it again.............YES

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?

You hear about some complications with some folks, and even have been told of the % of death from the surgery. I believe through any surgery one takes, there is always things you hear about and even the % of death. Back then when I got my surgery, things were still an open field that doctors and this kind of surgery were getting done. But the end result from other folks that have gone through with it, and what it had done to their life and them selfs, how can one not choose it....life and death in the world is never garrantied, but controled surgery for ones life after, is a better % than walking through life with all that weight and even with out it.....there are chances in life itself.

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 reaction was positive, why not....my health and life for them with me, out weights the negative sides. Some of my friends were aganist it, cause what they hear about the 1% of death and complications from the surgery. THey never see beyond the plus of others,they choose to point out the bad about it to you...MY boss was very much against it, and even got some of his doctors to pass on to me their opions, which were all negative...but I refused to hear the negative side from any one...I was doing this for ME....and my FAMILY.....but from all that, most every one was positive about it, and supported me, those that were not sure, after I showed and explained why....they became supportive. All I can say, don't pay mind to negativism from any one, don't let them change your mind....its your future, your health, and its for your family....go to them after and show them the new YOU....then ask them again.....you see the results from them, but you made the choice for YOU.

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

Like I said before,he was against it....and got his doctors to support his choice and made me aware of it...I still went through it, and had vacation time and sick time to take....fortuned, but for those who can't or do not have sick time and vacation, we hope your boss will work with you. If one has to take abesant time from work, do it...your health at this time is more important, when you start losing your weight they will see it, and knowing that your losing the weight would improve your work habits and even show others it works for the better of ones health, and even the insr/company will then be some what more supportive for others...that is a thin line,but it can happen.

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

I was lucky, cause the hospital that I went through the surgery supported the bariratirc center and even had a floor made for it...All those things we were concerned about not beign for your size they had it. Larger wheel chairs, humungous gowns for us,(hahah)it was neat...every thing was geared to the bariatric center and those going through it...THe staff was educated on it, some of the staff nurses went through it. So the support was 100% and more. I stayed for 5 days, cause I got infection in throat, can't remember the name of it, got anitbiotics, was out the next day.Like I said the hospital floor was made for those who are going through the surgery, after, and more. THe most important to bring, your own bathrope, slippers,...but the most important thing to bring is....a POSITIVE attidude, positive OUTLOOK, and getting out of there to start your NEW LIFE..............THINNES........and GOOD HEALTH

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

NO, I am fortuned that I did not. That does not say every one will not have any....but understand we all are different and things do not always run a strait course. If one does have complications, hang in there, and work with the doctors and follow their plan to solve it. Don't get angree, dont quit on them, frustration will set in, but do not let it get you down. Work with it, keep your HOPE and positiveness in your heart and mind...There are other folks who gone through any complications that would be more than any thing help you through it and encourage you to keep uper chin.....seek others with the situation your facing, and listen to what they did and follow it...and your doctor also....you can make it.....

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 felt tired, but that is expected....but I knew it was up to me to follow the after surgery plan to get my self better in strength, physical feelings for the body, and to help lose the weight. Follow instr after surgery, do what is told to you...keep on the path of what you are to do....don't experiment with things you hear from others that side tracked...do what you are suppose to do...later down the road you can see what works for you. But until that time, your first 3 months, and 1 one year out,follow what your suppose to do, don't do what your not suppose to do.And as the weight started to melt off I saw a new ME< you will also...and each day becomes more exciting...smaller cloths, better health, better sleep, and more personal attidute comes out, and you become more POSITIVE outlook on life and you see that person who was stuck inside that big person come out....

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

The first couple days was very tiring...slept long time...of course its excepted from the surgery like any other surgery. But one must follow up on what one must do. GET UP WALK< WALK< WALK< drink your fluids, follow close in what you eat the first weeks until things change for you. But one MUST get up and WALK, even if it hurts a little, get UP....walk....eat right food, DRINK FLUID.....you will see the weight come off better and quicker. But if you sit around not helping your self, you will become frustrated, and tired, disapointed in not seeing the weight come off quicker...now some folks it will come off quickly, other may have to work on it more, and some may even have to do more for them selfs...Remember ITS A TOOL, it will only work for YOU if you follow instructions and all the right things you MUST DO...for YOU and YOUR HEALTH..and of course the most important ones, YOUR FAMILY ALSO AND CHILDREN..... The people will see the weight come off, melt off if you can say that...and will start encouraging you more, and be happy with you and surprised on how well the surgery did for you. And believe me, your attidude will change, your attidude will change to the better, you feel better for your self. You will look better, and will want to show that.YOu become more aware of that person that was stuck in your old you.....NEW CLOTHS< WOW.....new look....new feelings, you just can't believe it....the more things change in you the more you will want to do right.....and this will also be a testamoni for others that are thinking about it, or are waiting for surgery...and one off the things I feel you should do, is seek the support group meeting and go to it....be a positive person for some one who is having doubts, trouble, and complications...if you have any of those, and made it through, be an encourage to them, be supportive and help some one else....we are all one different kind of folks out there...WE need each other for support and help.....go and help some else...be a encouragement to some one.....you will feel better and good in side...I am 7 years out and feel good and want to help those who are coming into it, and are done with the surgery and now on the road to a NEW YOU....

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

In Florida, not far....so it did not effect my after care. For those who have to drive far, just hang in there, maybe you can find one near to you after your surgery. Seek help from your bariatric staff for information.

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.

One thing is to remember, each one of you will be different than some one else. So don't get frustrated if things don't work always for you, or some one elses situation worked for them....we are all different in these stages of our path. The first weeks, every one knows, you start disliking soft foods(cottage cheees,scrambled eggs, jello, bland soup,etc) but you need to keep in mind, your pouch needs time to become strong and heal it self. Don't try to eat things that are solid in dexture, start doing what you are suppose to...those things will show up as you progress. In my 7 year out, there are still foods I have to watch out for. In a small way, I can eat almost every thing now...but again, I still have things that don't agree with me...and I need to keep them in mind or else...(rice,noodles,chicken, certain seafoods,certain meats, and some times the way they are fixed)THe foods that kind of put me to sleep, SUGAR, Salt,chinise foods,deserts,starches,....the rest of the foods, I can tolarate...but if my body says no...it will let me know....Folks, even now I still use my little machine to make some foods that I can not eat like it is, and eat it...cause I like it, and do not want to drive my self crazy by not able to eat....Folks, every one out there can GAIN your weight back, becarefull, your body can get around some things that you need to not eat, and little bit at time you can eat it...DON"T DO IT>>>>>but if you do, remember, YOU HAVE THE TOOL to get back on track....do it... don't blame the surgery not working, ITS YOU.....find out by the support meetings what not and what you can....eat...and how some folks deal with it....

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

I believe every ones activity improved, mine did, I did more, my work showed it, I was able to be more productive, I had a better out look on my self, I became more posistive and secured on what I was doing. I became more out going...I like the new ME! I stayed active..and every one should keep it up, one most important is your physcial activity, walk ever time you can, take up a sport, I went back to playing racketball, love it...even now...I still do. Keep active,dont sit around, your muscle need to built up and help lose some of the fat, and some of the skin. Not all your skin will become smooth and not show...there will some parts on you that it will stay. Then its up to the person on plastic surgery, but get advise from your doctor.

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

I am still taking, mulitvit/iron/calcium,C,B-12,Omega-3, Folic acid,once while cq-10(its the highest price stuff)so I kind of skip it oncewhile. I get my protein from the foods I focus on for it....so far no real problem. Get yearly blood work, a must for all...keep your year blood work and follow up.

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 been fortuned, I only get dumping when I get off track. Hair loss was not much of problem, I got the shampoo that was suggested to help.sleep, not a problem... If I do not pay attention on how fast I eat or don't chew the food enough, I pay for it....believe me, every one will also pay for it, if you don't pay attention to it...your body will tell you for sure. Sugar is my worst enemy..and it will be yours also, and salt...and starchy foods. If my food gets stuck and won't go away, it usally ends up to where I have to go and upchuck....only AGAIN, when I do not pay attention...chew, chew....chew...and keep away from sugars,starch(turn into sugar) and certain foods to rough to eat....other wise, doing fine.....

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

THE INSURANCE COMPANY.............if I was asked if I would go through it again, I would say YES>>>>>>>>>>YES....

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

I have a support group in Asheville, through the Mission Hospital Bariatric group. I live about 45 mins away. And to me, any support group is very important to any one before and after surgery. Evne 7 years out, I some times have questions or things I need to go back and ponder. And there is never a stupid question to ask. I also go to help others who are starting and going into the surgery and after....Folks always ask me, if I am in the right room for support group meeting. Cause I am thin, they think I am in the wrong place, that is a good feeling and humurous to see their expression after I tell them I am 7 years out..Most folks don't see those who are that far out, cause those who are out that far, usally get on with their lives and maybe feel they don't need the support group any more. I may be wrong on that statement, I don't the % of those who are out that far still go to support meetings, to help other or re-hash...some thing good to look into.

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

My scar is not long, you can see it, its about 4 inches long the belly. I thought it was going to really big, but now, no big deal. For ladies, I would expect they would be concerned about it...but that is some thing they would have to expand on.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have times where I do not lose weight or some times gain. I keep an eye on my weight, from cloths and scale. I weight my self almost every day...I some times feel my cloths getting not so lose, then check my scale...If I see I am starting to gain, I back off and check what I am eating, and go back to square one and start watching what I eat. If there is some things I am eating that puts on weight, I back off until I get back to where I was. But I do not panic, and folks should also not panic....see what you are eating, if some thing you should not, back off...use the tool you have to lose it...don't panic.....you can get back on track

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I believe every one that has lost the weight, will agree with this question. Yes, we have become a different person and the thin person has come out. And in these days out in the world, things are geared to THIN.....and one then fits into the sociaties mold of thinness....but we still think in our minds, FAT>>>>FAT...don't...your not....and I have a burden of those who are around that are what we were, and know what they are going through and know how the world and sociaty treats them. Know what problems they will encounter, and I feel their hurt...I know one can not always be their saviour, but I try to see if I can help, or talk about it. And I know some of you don't want to go up to stranger and talk about it, I do not blame you, I would not...ONly if I know them, or see them often where I work, or were we meet often...The I approach with care and sensitavity....some don't want to talk about it....this is a thin line and its up to indivuduals, some are open some are quite...just one thing, be care full...if you don't feel comfortable about don't try it....only if you feel comfartable...like I said this is a thin line....be careful.