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

Worked in an occupational health office and employees were coming in talking about the surgery. At first, I was very dubious and skeptical.

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

I had no problem getting approval.

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

My first visit was one of many questions. Fear of the unknown. But excited. Be sure to go to the first session with any and all questions written down. The surgeon should be willing to take the time to answer any questions you have.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

High Blood pressure, High cholesterol, and depression. A general feeling of disgust with myself.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Asked the Dr. But was not interested in having the lapband.

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 had no fears.

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 family and friends have been very supportive, before and after surgery.

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

I am retired.

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

I did a webinar.

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

My hospital stay was great. I was in the hospital for three days.

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

No complications

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 really did not have much time to feel anything. I had the surgery within two weeks of completing all requirements. I did not have any anxiety because I knew this was what I needed to do.

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

Everything went fine. The only pain I had was with gas in the shoulder. This went away after about a week. Other than that, I basically returned to my normal routine.

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

15 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 six weeks, I followed my GuideBook to the letter. Liquids to pureed to soft foods to solid foods. I learned very quickly not to eat too fast or too much. Gradually I began to experiment with different foods. By about the third month I was eating most anything I wanted.

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

I would do 30 to 45 minutes of exercise 3-4 days a week. Wii Fit and elliptical machine.

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

Celebration Vitamins and 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?

I learned fast about the nausea. I experienced that for about 2 months. I only had one episode of dumping and that was the first and last.

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

The first weeks of fluid and then pureed foods.

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

My family and friends. Support Group at WakeMed Cary.

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

My scars have faded a great deal. Just as I expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have plateaued a couple of times. I would only lose a lb. or two or not at all for a couple of weeks. This was after about 5-6 months after surgery.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes.