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

I asked my personal doctor about it and he referred me to Dr. Higa in Fresno. Sort of scary but the benefits outweighed the fear.

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

Doctor handled all aspects concerning insurance. Find a doctor who has experience with dealing with the insrance company.

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

Great meeting. Very personable doctor who explained all options (including a diet). Ask as many questions you can think of. there is no stupid question. Flee if the doctor is inpatient with the questions or who is in a hurry.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Futile attempts at continued weight loss. Plus, I want to see my kids grow up and beyond.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

By talking it over with my doctor. Asking alot of questions. Then, I waited two months before actually going to surgery.

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?

Naturally afraid of complications from surgery. However, at the rate I was going, the risks clearly were outweighed by the positive results.

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?

Wife was fearfull. Thought I should just exercise willpower and diet, again. Supportive now, especially since the quality of our life is better.

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

Self employed attorney in a partnership. Able to carry more of my responsibilities now. Was back at work 4 days after surgery.

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

Great hospital; St. Agnes in Fresno, California. 4 day stay. Bring your body and optimism.

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

Slight bleeding from one of the incision sites. It has been a little difficult to keep solid food down.

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 have not felt better in ten years. Just keep focused on the positive aspects of the surgery.

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

A little concerned about eating again. Try to be patient with questions and concerns from others.

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

1 mile.

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.

1-14-2000---I am having a problem with solid food now. Started off with Cream of Wheat and mashed potatoes. Have been eating Cup of Soups lately (Ramen) and other thin soups. Sugar is a problem at times. Missed my one month check up so have not addressed this with my doctor yet. 2-23-2000---I am able to eat solid, well chewed foods now. Able to stomach shrimp and such about 3 weeks ago. 4-17-2000---Able to eat anything now. Just do not eat alot. 5-14-2000---Eat steak; shrimp; sausage; pasta fruit; bread...Gosh, everything...Just not a ton of it. 11-3-2000---Now I eat a ton of it. Down to 192.

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

Got rid of the gardner and pool man. I look for things to do now instead of sleeping in my chair. I walk 2 miles a night. Feel great. 2-23-2000---Actually look for things to do now. When I am bored now i don't eat, I look for something to do. 4-17-2000---Life is great. Activity level is high. Working out and loving it. 5-14-2000---Play with the kids without hesitation. No excuses.

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

None. Doctor Higa said my fat stored enough vitamons for about a year. 4-17-2000---Been taking multi-vitamins for about 3 months now.

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?

The nausia is the worst right now when I eat solid food. Seems to slowly be getting better though. 4-17-2000---Hair is a little thin on top...yet it always has been that way. Small price to pay. 5-14-2000---Able to eat anything now, although well chewed. No nausea.

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

The catheter.

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

One is available through my doctor, but I haven't gone.

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

I had laproscopic surgery. 5, 3/4 inch incisions. They have all healed and are gone.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Throwing away my last set of "fat" clothes.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Since I dropped 75 pounds in two months, over the holidays, people who haven't seen me really notice. I feel better is what counts. Therefore, I treat people better. 2-23-2000---Down 100+ pounds and everyone asks about the weight loss. I feel like people respect me more than when I was obese. 4-17-2000---Down to #215. 127 pound loss since 11-15-99. Buying new clothes like crazy. People will talk about "fat" people around me now. 5-14-2000---Down to #207. Comments from people all the time. Some people I know WELL don't even recognize me now. 11-3-2000---Wierd...People ask me if I'm ill. lol