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

I first found out about the surgery one day in 2003 on T.V. I said that would be a good thing to do to lose weight.

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

Make sure you have all your information correct. Make sure you do everything the doctor tells you to do. Believe me it is for insurance purpose. The insurance company will follow up. My insurance company denied me the first time because my employer the not cover the cost. I called my employer and gave them all the information and my employer except the cost of the surgery the following year.

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

My first visit was amazing because I had so many questions. Make sure you write down all your questions you would like to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had 2 hernias repaired and I was tired of getting them by being fat. I was tired all the time and I could not play ball with my son and sexual wise very uncomfortable.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor helped me decide. Since had more hernias to repair I needed to do the Gastric by pass.

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 didn't have no fear. I prayed when I went in and I prayed when I came out. God is good. Keep the faith.

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?

I only told my immediate family. They were very supportive especially that I was doing something about my health.

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

I am the manager of my department and my head boss was fine with it as long as I was healthy. I stayed out for 2 weeks.

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. I stayed in there 3 days. Just bring robe, slippers, and gas X.

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

No I did not have any complications. Thanks God!

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 fine. I was just a little nervous about my blood being low. After the test my blood work was fine I was ready then.

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

You will be very sore and gassy. Just try to walk and rest and get your protein and for faster healing.

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

I lived about 30 minutes from the hospital. I was fine.

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 3 weeks nothing but liquids. After a month I was eating potatoes and soups. I can not tolerate any sugar. I am 2 1/2 months post-op and I can eat a taco and a slice of pizza maybe once a month.

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

My first two weeks I did nothing too sore.

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

I take 2 centrum chewable, 2 citracal vitamins.

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 get nausea sometimes after eating.

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

The gas is very bad.

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

We have the support group every 3rd wed of the month. It really helps.

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

My scars are fine It will take a little while for them to clear.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateau a month after my surgery. I was just stuck.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No. They are treating me the same but giving me more compliments.