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

I first found out about the surgery back in 2004. Co-Workers who have had it done kept telling me I should do it,... I wanted to do it and it sounded like a awesome idea but I don't think I was motivated enough!

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

I have BCBS(New York) the Insurance experience was a week and a half. My Primary Dr. Santos Coy had been ready for me to do the surgery so the letter recommending it was easy; he gave it to me in 7 days. I think I would just advise people to have their Doctor document all your visits and have a Great Case worker like I had.

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

It was real open and allot of question and answer.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was sitting at my desk one day talking with a customer and my Heart started palpitating for like 20-30 and I almost blacked out, I thought I was about to die.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

If I am gonna do it I am gonna do it all the way, I have been taking short cuts my whole life.

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 did not have any fears about the surgery at all, I was very naive about the whole thing, like I was just going to pop up right after surgery and be ready to go home.... I was wrong of course I was in the ICU over night. I could not breath on my own when they woke me up because the anesthesia had not completely worn off since they had to give me more because I was wanting to wake up in the middle of surgery, then they thought I had a Heart Attack on the table(I didn't after all) then when I finally did wake up I had a breathing machine on me that was interfering with my breathing, I thought I was going to die!!! I must have convulsed three times before they took it off. They said they were running test to make sure I did not have a heart attack on the table and because they did not want to take it off and have to put it back on while I am awake. But as I suspected when they took it off I could breath on my own.

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 very happy.

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

Well, of course deep inside they were happy, but when a employee is down they have to number crunch and it was a double whammy for them because my wifes works in the same department!!!!!! Yikes!!

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

The stay apart from the surgery was great. My nurses did everything possible to take care of me, their is not one thing bad I can say about any of them.

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

No complications except the ones described about the 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 felt regret, pain, unsure, did they even really do anything, please get this tube out of me.

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

First week stuck, Second week was feeling better, optimistic and by the 10 day really great!

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

I drove from San Antonio to Seguin and it took about 45 minutes, it was aprox. 51 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 two week I could only drink broth, protein drinks, ISO Pure Protein liquid - Absolutly no Sugar!!! well 3 grams and under! I am only 10 days post op.

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

From a 1-10 in the first week about a 4, the second week about a 6.

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

B12, Mutli high power rocket launching vitamin daily and my 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?

The worst side effect for me was having to sleep on my back!!!!!! but now I am able to sleep on my stomach.

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

The wake up portion of the surgery, the after surgery where they wake you up.

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

I have a support group but its in Seguin which makes it hard to go to but I am gonna try my best because every one their is awesome!!!!!!!!!

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

I have 5 or 6 scars and they have changed my body as my surgery will change my life!!!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

n/a

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No.