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

From a co worker. Cautious and afraid

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

no problem my surgery center took care of it for me, very easy process.

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

it was great, infomative. DO so resurch and write down your questions so you can get them all answered.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

the sucess of my co workers.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

on the advise of a Dr. much wiser than I. and my desire for quicker results.

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, after reviewing my surgeons education and experence I was very confident in his abilities.

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?

My wife did not know or understand what it was about, she was skecpitcal, but after seeing the results she is a strong supporter and brags to her friends, and also recomends the surgery to others who need help.

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

They were supportive, I orginally asked for 6 weeks off, but only took off 5 weeks. I could have returned to work after 2 weeks, but chose to take sometime off and relax and get used to the program.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

I had done lots of research so I was well prepaired and had my questions down, Yes I was glad I attended and it was the event that moved me forward to having surgery.

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

It was ok, staff was good, my surgeon is exclusive at the hospital I went to, and has special beds for his patients, I was there 4 days, bring music, I Pod and PDA, something to read, loose clothing and slippers to walk around in.

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

None at all.

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 only had 2 weeks notice, I was excited, no anxiety at all, as my surgeon and his staff had prepared me for all to come. I was very confident in his abilities.

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

It was great, some pain but the liquid pain meds. were great, no problems at all, was exersising within a week on my tread mill.

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

3 miles, no after care is about 10 miles away and I attend monthly.

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.

sugar, sweets, meat, alochol, Food was added in a schedule from liquids to soft foods, to solids, and protine is of major importance. I got lots of advice and sugustions form others at the support group, and my sponsor assigned my by my surgeons office.

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

was walking the halls of the hospital several times a day the day after surgery, went home in 4 days and by day 7 was on my tread mill, and walking around the neighborhood almost daily. Went walking at mall often or other places. Walking, intervile training and jogging almost daily for frist 6 months.

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

Multi vitamins, once a day, Calcium 500 MG twice a day, and B-12 once a week. Also using a product called juice plus for my fruit and veggy supplements, but not required.

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?

when I forgot to chew my food, I had some vomiting, it only takes a time or two to learn to chew your food. Suger or suaces with high sugar will cause dumping, and it only took one experience of that to learn not to do it again. Stop sit and rest, all you can do is wait it out. usually 30 to 45 mins, and you will be fine. Hair loss started about 3 months, I had long hair. I cut it all off, donated it to locks for love, and have kept my hair short for past 5 months, will start to grow it back after one year in March. I tried biotine but got tired of picking my hair off the shower floor so I just cut it off. easy for a man, not so easy for a woman.

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

Learning to chew your food very fine, planning meals, taking time to eat without distractions. Giving away some very expensive clothing wich dont fit any more.

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

my surgeon offers a monthly support group. actually several different ones tailored to the stage of after care you are in and type of surgery. They are very informitive, and I always leave there with some more tools to help me with my daily life and eating right. I think the support of others and meeting them who have the same issues as I have is very benifical. I am suprised how few people take advantage of these free support groups available to them. I think they are very improtant to sucess.

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

4 small holes look like 22 bullet holes, you have to look for them to see them, they are better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had many Plateaus in my weight loss, but be patient work out harder and they will pass, most have never lasted more than a few weeks, then I was back to major weight loss again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, lots of compliments, and suprises. I have had people not reconigise me who I have not seen in a few months. Some ask if I am sick and so say I don't need to loose any more, but I will leave the amount of loss up to my medical professional, and my personal goals. Over all every thing has been positive from co workers and friends and family.