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

First found out from a hospital flyer. I went to the first meeting about it and had mixed feelings. Wasn't really confident about that particular surgeon.

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

My experience with my insurance company was very official. I kept records of who I talked to and when. I called often and demanded answers.

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

I didn't meet my surgeon until a few days before my surgeon, which is not the norm. He was sincere, genuine and professional. TAKE your questions with you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It just happened. It just felt like the right time and I had no reservations in the bad of my mind.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

RNY was the only procedure covered by my insurance at the time.

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 fears of dying or complications got worse the closer I got to the date. I tried to keep myself busy and made sure to have the important conversations with my spouse.

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?

They were all super supportive.

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

N/A

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

The hospital stay was not fun. The nurses were busy and did not always attend to what I needed. This irritated my family more than me. I was there 2.5 days. Bring a robe and house shoes to walk the halls.

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

No.

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 tried to keep busy and exercise more to build up my oxygen stores.

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

Depressed! What have I done syndrome. It will pass.

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

2 hours each way. I had to plan appointments in advance carefully.

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.

At five months out, I tolertate most anything. Off limits for me is anything with more than 12 grams of sugar in it. I have been lucky with being able to eat all kinds of meat.

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

I walked several times of day after the surgery. I wouldn't notice the pain as much if I was moving. It was up and down the driveway at first and then farther. After six weeks I could swim and lift weights.

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

Chewable Multi Calcium Citrate Trinsicon

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?

hard to get sleep for the first 3 weeks.

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

Being in the hospital and the few weeks after.

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

I see the doctor frequently still and they have support groups twice a month.

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

The scars have healed nicely and are quite small.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I stop losing for a couple days and then start back up. Nothing too awful yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People are always asking how much I have lost. That's it so far.