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

I heard of it from friends that had it done and from the news on TV. I was a little scared about the problems that could come post sugery.

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

My approval was very easy with Blue Cross HMO.

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

Mine was easy. I had several problems that both the doctor and i thought the sugery could help to resolve.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

350lbs, Diebetes, BMI of 44.1, and the problems with my knees and feet.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did alot of research on the internet and talked to several people that had the sugery prior to me for input.

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 a few fears about the complications but nothing that made me think twice about going through the sugery. I looked only at the positive side of what would come out of the procedure.

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?

Mt family was more scared than i was about the surgery. I sat down with most of them and explained what the procedure was and how it would change my life. They were all very supportive throughout the process.

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

My employer was very supportive as his father had just had the same sugery by the same Doctor. I was only off work for 9 days but I do a lot of phone support which i can do from home.

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

My stay at St. Joseph hospital was very good the doctors and nurses were great. I went in Monday at 7AM and was out Wednesday by 2PM. Bring thing to keep you occupied while you are not walking.

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

I had no Complications at all so far. Knock on wood.

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 ready to go. I had no reservations at all not even walking into the hospital that morning.

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

It was fairly easy for me. The food choices are very limited to start with but it get better the farther out you get.

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

3 miles

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 2 months i could not eat any meat at all it would give me bad stomach aches to a point that i could not even drink my water. I am at seven months now and can eat chicken, turkey, and white pork as long as it is juicy. I can not eat beef or dry meat at all yet the really upset my stomach.

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

while i was still in the hospital i did a lot of walking it helps release the pressure build up in the stomach. 6 days after sugery i did the Walk for Obesity with the Support group from St Joseph hospital.

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

I use the full package that my doctor recommends from Bariatric advantage. Multi Vit, Iron, B12, and Calcium.

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 had none of these problems at all.

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

Sleeping with the Sleep apnia mask. It made me feel like I was sufficating.

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

We have a Support group the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month. The support is important in keeping me focused on my goals.

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

It is 4 1/2" lines that for the best part I have to look for to find them. And 1 1" line that is a little more visable but not that bad at all. Use Vitamin E oil to make the SCARS heal nicer.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau at about 3 months and again at 6 months were I did not lose any weight for 3 weeks each time but keep losing pant sizes. The doctors told me it was fine that my body was just readjusting its self.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes for the most part it is good. There have been a few that seem to be treatened by me now which i dont understand as i have known them for years and still have not changed who i am.