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

My wife asked me if I would ever consider WLS and I said flatly "NO - that is way too drastic".

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

I was denied after my first attempt and was approved on submital of an appeal letter. My advise, if it is something that you want, then do whatever it takes to get there.

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

Do your homework. Go to your first appointment with some questions. Learn all you can about this very important tool.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was sitting on the couch eating dinner with my family. We were watching Wheel Of Fortune, and I am really good at it.......my wife told my son that dad should go on this show....my son looked at her with his five year old sad eyes and said "mommy, dad can't be on that show he is too fat". My heart was crushed and at that moment I vowed to do something to win over obesity.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched them all and given that, I was able to pick what I thought I could be successful with...It just so happened that my surgeon agreed.

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?

Like anyone I had a lot of fears, but I had reached a point that I was dying and this was a real chance to live again.

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?

Everyone was real positive except for my mom and dad...I think it was a natural fear for the safety of their child. After the surgery everone was real positive and supportive.

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

My supervisor was supportive. He wished me well and gave me the time I needed. I was only off of work for two weeks. However, I could have went back to work after four days.

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 great. My every need was tended to quickly. Be sure to bring socks and slippers......they get you out of bed quickly......

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

I had no complications from surgery.

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 very nervous. I was excited, scared, and anxious all at once. I tried to concentrate on losing the required 25 pounds prior to my surgery. The fear of having coming all this way to get a surgery date and then to be postponed because my liver was too large would have been too disappointing for me to handle. No worries though.....I made it!

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

I drove by car for two and a half hours to the hospital for suregery. I really had no problems with this distance.

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.

I was able to eat semisolid foods one week out and then solid foods at two weeks. I can eat anything I want and alway have been able to, however, I don't eat bread, pasta, rice, or sugar. I rarely experience dumping syndrome. I have really had no trouble with any foods thus far.

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

My energy has been extremely high. I was not able to do any regimented exercise program, but was extremely active due to all the energy that I have.

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

I eat four children chewable multi-vitamins a day and also a chewable calcium supplement each day.

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 have had no ill effects at all. I do feel a bit woozie if I eat too much.

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

The worst part of the whole experience is the waiting to get insurance approval.

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

I relied upon obesityhelp.com and its members greatly. I was part of a monthly support group that was a big help too. I highly recommend a support network of some kind.

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

I have five small scars about one inch each.....I can barely see them anylonger. They are much smaller that I anticipated.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I didn't worry about them. I lost so much so fast that it was a whirlwind of a ride.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people treat me much better now. The sad fact is that fat people are discriminated against.