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

I was being seen by the VA for other issues and was told by my primary doctor that I was fat and would have to lose wieght. I asked for help and he said all he could do was refer me to a nutritionist. I was told by the doctor that if something wasn't done I would not live 5 years.

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 problem getting my insurance approval. I had documents from military doctors about being on the military wieght control programs for a 20 year period. The doctors staff said that this information was like a gold mine. I also had the doctors office doing the paper work and knowing how to write up and submit what was required for a fast and easy approval.

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

On my first visit I was asked to bring in a package that I had filled out with all of the required information. The staff was very supportive and very professional. I met with different staff members including Dr. Sanderfer, who was the most proffessional and caring surgeon I have ever met.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided I wanted to try this as soon as I heard about it but the VA and all of there disorganized efforts made me want to go elsewhere to perue this surgery. I watched my wife go from start to about 1 month post op and decided this was the route for me and I persued it whole heartedly from there.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided the RNY was the best procedure for me from the research I did here at this sight and at many others. Also I talked to many people who had this procdure and was convinced this was the right one for me. the Doctor Recommeds this procedure also.

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 had some mild thoughts about complications and also I thought about dying. I told my family and friends that I have two choices, I could skip the surgery and die from other issues in a few years. MY dad died from heart failure at 59. Or I could have the surgery and have the opportunity to live a longer, healthier, and more enjoyable life. If I died, oh well.

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 and friends were very supportive and I think they were more scared that I was. I think I was very upfront and wouldn't change a thing. I could not believe the post op support it was outstanding from everyone I know.

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

My employer and supervisor were very supportive of everything involved. I was totally upfront about my decission and told them everything. I was out of work for three weeks because I ended up with kidney stones one week after surgery, so the doctor kept me out an extra week.

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

My stay in the hospital was mostly drugged for the pain, the staff was great but the visiting policy was ridiculous at Riverside community. There were young kids running the halls and people staying until late in the night. After two days things eased up alot and the pain meds were reduced. I was only in for three days and then went home.

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

My scar tissue calcified and I had a small abdominal hernia. I was told they would have to be fixed but insurance tried to play around and lost the paperwork. After it was resent and they were going to start the procedure all over I called and all of a sudden it was approved within the hour.

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

In the first week after surgtery I felt antsy and couldn't sit still. I visited work and start working on my boat (just cleaning it up a little). I physically felt good but run down so I did very little at a time, but I did things and it helped. I went to an all night Bass fishing tournament 19 days after surgery and had a great time but I didn't win. The best thing I did was to start getting around and doing things right away, I think this attitude got me up and around alot faster.

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

During the first two weeks there was alot of pain and discomfort. I managed to bear the pain with the help of meds, and get up and start doing little things. I have always believed the faster you get up and start moving aroung the faster you will recover. I was just having liquids, mostly chicken broth and water or juice. By the second week I was hooked on gator aid. I was also skipping meds as much as possible and getting out of the house to do things like run quick errands and visit people.

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

About 45 miles to the doctors office and about 30 miles to the Hospital were the surgery was performed. The distance to the doctors office for aftercare was an issue but I managed to work it out and actually look forward to the trip when I have to go. I also have the good support of family and friends that enjoyed driving me when my wife is working.

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.

After surgery I was on liquids as with everyone else. After I believe two weeks I was started on soft foods like mashed potatoes and the such. After 4 weeks I was able to eat anything according to the doctor. I found that I did not tolorate very much solid food for about 10 weeks. After that I was able to eat more items. I still can not tolorate Pasta, rice, noodles, breads or some other carbs. I try something new every few weeks and see how it works. I have eaten mac & cheese twice without a problem then I try it again and it does not stay down. I have been able to eat some Mexican foods along with jalapinos and other spicy items.

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

In the first few days after surgery (at home) I was a little out of it with the meds for pain. On about the fourth day I laid off of some of the medss and got up and took a shower on my own. I started going out side and cleaning up my boat for a night fishing trip. On the eighth day I visited work to see everyone and say hello. On the tenth day I revisited the hospital to be treated for kidney stones. I spent the next week doing more and more and taking less and less meds. I was not released for work until the third week. I went back to work and took speed naps during lunch and worked full days from the first day back.

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

I have been taking multivitamins all along and contiue with them I switched to One A Day with Iron due to a low iron level in my labs. I also started taking an Iron suppliment and Vitamin C suppliments just to be sure. This is better then taking meds with side effects.

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 feel I am doing very well as far as side effects are concerned. My biggest were Nausia and Vomiting. I couldn't tell you about hair loss because the hair loss bunny already struck me. Dumping has not been an issue. Sleep distrurbance has been very slight and erratic, nothing consistant to say. I still experience some nausia and vomiting on occasion after six months and sleep parterns are still a little erratic but not consistant or severe. I had sleep apnia and have not been using my machine very often, it used to be every night.

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

The worst part was two fold, worrying if I was really going to lose any weight then loseing enough wieght. The second issue I had and still have on occasion is the nausia and vomiting. The nausia I have been learning to live with with out many issues. The vomiting has been I'd like to say not bad but I am liking it less and less even though it is occuring less often.

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

My support group through my doctors office is about 45 miles away and I can't get out of work in time to make the drive. I have my wife who is 13 months post op and a friend of ours who is 19 months post op and a fellow workers wife who is 18 monthes post op. These great people along with family and friends have been my greatest support group. Also being able to run into people I haven't seen and watch the look on there faces has made everything worth while.

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

My scar goes from my navel to just below my breastbone. It is a little longer than expexted due to the doctor finding some old scar tissue that needed to be removed. I expected a scar about 4 to 6 inches and have one that is about seven inches. I have no problem with the scar I am not self concious.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

In September my 3rd month I hit a plateau for about 3 weeks without any loss. I had heard about this and had seen it with my wife so I was not concerned and understood what was going on.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, Before surgery the people I work with would gather at about 11:50 to decide where we were going for lunch. This would happen everyday. Well after surgery I couldn't go out to eat because I would have something I couldn't or would eat to fast and end up sick. so now a couple of people will go to lunch and not even approach me. Also some people think they have to do things differently when it comes to food just for my sake. I tell them to do what ever you have to and I will adjust.