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

I found out thru a fellow employee. the information booklet given to me did peak my interest.

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 experience. it was approved without question or comment.

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

it was ok. however, i was not prepared. to get the most out of the meeting, try to have all your questions prepared. do your homework.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

i wanted to make a change.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with my surgeon's recommendation.

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 didn't have any fears. I was so miserable that death was not a fear. I did have some concerns as to whether I would be able to stick to a diet. It has been an adjustment, similar to when I quit smoking. I missed cigarettes for a while, and I miss many of my favorite foods. However,my body told me very quickly what I had to avoid and how I had to eat. Any mistakes, and I would get the dumping syndrome, and throw up. That certainly kept me in check. I tell others that they have to take a serious look at the process. I highly recommend the website to get alot of information.

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?

I had complete support from my family and friends and I have had some great feedback from them. I really feel good about my physical self.

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

I was admitted to the hospital on a Monday morning when I had my surgery. I was release on Thursday evening. I was at the Hackensack Medical Center in Brunswick, N.J. I was treated well, and made comfortable. I cannot think of anything special that one should bring, except for loose fitting clothing when one is discharged.

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

I had 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?

I really didn't think too much about it. I was looking forward to it, and had no real anxiety. I walked into the operating room and placed myself on the operating table. No bravado on my part; that was the procedure.

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

I was very tired and didn't have much strength. I was constantly falling asleep, and I was concerned about my lack of stamina. However, after two months, I was getting back to normal. By 3 months, I had felt better than 100% I think this was a typical progression.

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

I traveled about 50 miles. Not a problem.

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 a big meat eater. Meat is practically absent from my diet now. I can handle ground beef, and very tender beef, but I seldom eat meat, maybe once every 2 months. Fish goes down the best. Pizza is a new meal that I can now enjoy. I could eat most pasta except for spaghetti? Soup, oatmeal, cold cereal, salads, soft fruit, like bananas. I know I shouldn't, but I love martinis, and have one almost every evening. I eat egg white omlets. I have very little bread, An english muffin is about it. I can have sliced bread if I have a grilled cheese sandwich.

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

My activity level was practically nil shortly after surgery. Now, I have moved to Florida where I swim, walk, play tennis, and alot of golf.

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

I take Theragran-M. I have taken them every day since my release from the hospital.

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 don't re-call any real side effects, other than being tired.

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

The tired feeling that persisted for about two months.

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

I have none. This has been a big deficit for me. I don't feel that follow up group programs were stressed to me by my surgeon and his staff. It seemed almost casual. I also was not given, in my opinion, adequate post-op information as regards to eating, dieting, etc. Since re-locating to Florida, I have been unsuccessful in getting to a group. This is probably my fault as to lack of sincere effort. However, now that I am writing this, I am spurring myself on to get going on this.

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

I have a scare that goes from my navel to my sternum. It's fairly nasty looking. But I had no expectations, so I am not disturbed nor dissapointed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Every time I reduce to a new set of tens, I rejoice. I can now go to a regular clothes store instead of a big/Tall store.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No. But I moved 1600 miles away from my former home. So, I don't know anyone here from my pre-surgery life,except fpor some family.