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

In 2005 My PCP recommended I look into the surgery. I went to the class at Newton Wellesley Hospital, when I went back for a followup with the pcp she told me the gastric bypass surgery was a drastic surgery and I should try weight watchers instead. Of course I didn't and my weight increased to 342 lbs. I returned to the pcp for a physical in July 2006 she again recommended I look into gastric bypass surgery, I told her I did look into it. She asked why I didn't do it. I said "you told me not to do it" That afternoon I called Newton Wellesley Hospital and scheduled my consult visit, two weeks later I was at my first meeting for preop patients. I was a bit nervous about the whole thing initially once I readmore about it, and I visited Basil White's website. I had no doubt this is what I needed to do.

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 with insurance, My pcp wrote a letter to the insurance company telling the insurance company my medical condition, treatments for arthritis and sleep apnea, also that the surgery was a medical neccessity. I recieved a copy of the approval letter from the insurance company shorthly after my surgery was scheduled.

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

I asked a lot of questions, and didn't try to hide anything that I had done over the last several years as far as medications, and eating habits. She was non judgemental and actually helped me with a few changes in medications for the arthritis, and for acid reflux.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had to have a cartiac catherization in April 2006. I thought I was having a heart attack. Something had to change but I needed help with the process.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Newton Wellesley only offers one type of procedure, but from information I read prior to going to see my surgeon the Roux en y was the most successful procedure so far.

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 can die from any procedure, being overweight your risk is elevated. If you have the surgery and have success you'll be on your way to a better life. If you don't have the surgery because you fear dying on the table chances are you are not going to be living a long life. Complications can also happen with any surgery, keep a positive outlook, you will survive and you will get healthy.

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?

the reactions were mixed, mostly positive because they had seen the problems i was having, of course right up to the day before surgery people were trying to talk me out of having it done. I ignored negative reaction and welcomed positive reinforcment. If someone who never went to any informational meeting and only knows what they heard on the news about the surgery tries to tell you what you can expect and how many people aren't successful offer to have them come with you to a meeting and get their facts straight.

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

I told everyone i work with about the surgery, they were concerned but understood why I was doing it. I had great support throughout the company. I sat down with my boss and explained what I needed to do to get healthy and back on track. He had gone through heart bypass surgery and was very supportive. I was out of work for 5 weeks.

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

the stay in the hospital was a bit longer than I expected. It was the week before Christmas so things were quiet, the staff was extremely professional however at times it seemed they didn't have enough people covering the floor. I was in the hospital for 7 days but that was because I had some complications with the surgery and the surgeon had to go back in and check things out. I didn't bring anything with me, except my cpap machine.

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

I did have complications, I believe i caught a virus just before surgery and the effects didn't hit until I was already having surgery. My fever was 102.5 my blood pressure shot up to 215/195. On the second day after surgery I was vomiting bowel. I thought the cause of vomiting was from the barium I had to drink for an upper GI. The surgeon came down to the xray dept as soon as they took the pictures and decided they needed to find out what was wrong. The strange part about the vomiting is more stuff came out of me than I had put in in the last three days. After the second surgery I felt great very little pain, but the recovery process starts all over again.

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

When I got my surgery date I felt great, it was the light at the end of the tunnel. It was the day I started my new life. I had no anxiety and total confidence in the surgeons.

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

I was tired most of the time. I would make time everyday to walk The first few days just a half mile, then I increased to 2 miles by the start of my third week at home. Daytime tv is horrible find a hobby that doesn't zap your energy, my is family genealogy. Always keep water with ice chips near you. Keep track of when you eat and what you eat, you're not going to feel hungry and you're going to be fatigued writing evrything down you won't have to guess when you ate last or how much fluid you drank.

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

20 miles there wasn't any problem with 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.

the first week cream soups actually tasted good. I tried babyfood (thats gross). My diet mainly consisted of Carnation Instant breakfast, yogurt, cottage cheese, and either a cream soup or broth. The only food that I did eat and couldn't tolerate was peanut butter. The only foods that I keep off limits is anything that has sugar or mostly carbs. (Breads, potatoes, pasta, etc.)

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

Slow I did what I felt comfortable doing if I got tired I stopped after a few weeks of walking my stamina started to increase day by day.

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

I am on a daily schedule of several vitamins and supplements chewable Multivitamin (twice a day) Protonix Celebrex (Twice a day) Lipitor a med for the gall bladder ( ? ) (twice a day) B 12 Iron (Vitron C) Calcium (Caltrate 600 with vitamin D) (Twice a day)

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

There are hree meetings a month that I attend at Newton Wellesley Hospital. I think the meetings are vital to the success of all the patients. Being able to talk about the problems or success people are going through and having the surgical staff on hand to answer questions has made the process much more easier to handle.

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

Several little scars in a few months they will be barely noticable

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

three weeks out from surgery I hit a plateau at 272lbs ten days later the weight started a slow drop.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No except for the compliments