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

My dad suggested I consider the surgery and I started researching over the internet. My first reaction was NO WAY..NOT ME!!! Within 6-8 weeks I had come full circle based on reading as much as I could get my hands on and speaking to as many post-op patients as I could.

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

My surgeon's office handled the filing of insurance and I was approved in less thas 10 days.

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

My first meeting was an informational meeting with the surgeon. He described the surgery in detail and made sure I understood exactly what would be done, what the risks were, and what I could expect.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I met Dr. Hart at a Support Group meeting and he described the surgery he performed and why, I knew right then the surgery was for me and he was the right surgeon for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research led me to believe the LAP RNY was the best surgery for me and Dr. Hart confirmed that.

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?

The only fear I had, and still have, is that this surgery will nto be successful for me.

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?

Friends and family were incredibly supportive - far more than I expected. I told very few people in the beginning as I wanted to make my decision without negative feedback from people not familiar with the procedure. I was surprised at how supportive everyone (well, almost everyone) was and still are. My friends and family are very supportive - I just wish they would stop asking me how much weight I have lost EVERY day!

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

My supervisors were very supportive. They were happy for me and allowed me the time off I needed. I took off two weeks which was plenty for the LAP surgery. I could have taken moe off if needed.

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

I was in the Hospital for less than 48 hours. The care was fair. It was critical to cehck the food trays and make sure no sugar items were on them. I was glad my girlfriend spent the two nights with me. I had to remind the staff that I needed to get up and walk. I felt everything I needed was available at the hospital.

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

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 was elated. I weas so prepared and ready for this surgery and the date made everything realistic.

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

The first two or three days I felt like a mack truck had run over me. I was shocked at how much better I felt each and every day. Within a week I started walking 1/2 mile in my living room to walking tapes. I was able to drive comfortably within a week. I began slowly returning to my normal routine. By the middle of the second week I actually felt well enough to return to work but did not rush things.

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

Both the hospital and the surgeon are about 45 minutes from my home so this had no affect on my aftercare.

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.

Still to soon out to address this. Eating very soft foods well. The only thing that really hasn't agreed with me is tomato sauce. I even tolerated ground beef 3 weeks post-op. I focus on protein and use 1 protein drink a day now where as I was drininking two a day for the first 2-3 weeks.

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

I was walking 1/2 mile in less than a week and up to a mile by the week mark. At 5 weeks post-op I am playing competetive tennis again. I seem to have all of my energy and rarely feel overly tired.

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

I take a multi-vitamin (Centrum chewabl) and 2 Viactivs daily.

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 only had one horrible experience and that was at two weeks out. I ate 1 oz of cream of wheat and apparently it swelled in my stomach. I was sick with nausea and vomiting for 13 hours. Needless to say, I will NEVER eat cream of wheat again! I still vomit on occasion if I do not chew well enough or if something goes down too quick. I have learned that something might not settle well with me the first time but trying it a few days later often helps.

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

Drinking the Phospho-Fleet the night before surgery!

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

W.I.N.G.S. is a non-surgical support group that meets once a month in a nearby hospital. I think this can be very important although not a necessity. I would like to explore other suppor groups in my area.

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

They are all healing well and i think a year down the road it will be hard to tell I had any surgery.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had lost 19 lbs - 16 dyas out and then for 10 days did not drop another lb. This was very difficult. Then it finally started to drop again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People have been very complimentary.