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

I've known about the surgery for years....at first I was afraid of it...I was afraid it was another thing I'd fail at...but the more research I did and the more people I've talked too..I've realized this is the answer I've been praying for and I truly believe it will save my life.

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

So far my experience has not been good...I have Cigna PPO and they are terrible to deal with...I have not been approved yet..and I pray that I will get approved for the surgery. My advice if you have Cigna....get as much info as you can when you send over the pre auth request and then call them consistantly or go to a supervisor. ***update*** I was approved for surgery after escalating things to a supervisor...Cigna over the last year has been pretty good about covering my medical expenses and due to some complications they have had to cover 3 surgeries and several weeks in the hospital.

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

my first meeting with my doctor was very informative...he not only went over the pros and cons with me..we discussed whether or not I would be a good candidate for the surgery. He was very helpful and answered my many questions. My suggestion is take a notebook with you to the doc and write down any questions you might have so you can get the answers.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired of feeling depressed, sick and tired every day. I was tired of being moo'd at, oink'd at, pointed and laughed at. I hated myself, my life and everything around me. I was also on my way to not being able to walk anymore and mostly I was tired of being lonely.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor perfomed the VBG procedure...I like the idea of the band and it has worked well for me. My procedure was open and not lap

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 more fear of dying without the surgery then with it. I was more excited than I was scared. I am a year out (surgery was 10/31/01) and I did have some complications from it, I had to have a revision surgery after the initial one due to my staple line not being high enough, I also had a bout with nausea and dehydration, and I had an incisional hernia that had to be repaired with an open surgery. I would tell anyone looking into this, that nothing worth having is easy and I would go thru everything again to have the results I've had. My complications were not life threatening and although uncomfortable and sometimes frustrating, they were survivable. No one ever said this was going to be easy and it's not...but having your life back is worth whatever you have to go thru. I'd do it all again without any hesitation.

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 am so incredibly lucky to have such wonderful friends and family. After letting them read up on the surgery, they backed me 150 percent. I've had amazing support through this. I suggest to anyone doing this...make sure you have people to lean on...join a support group, talk to others. Support is really important on this journey.

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

I have not had the surgery yet...but my supervisor is the greatest!! I told him about it when I was just researching it...and his response was "Go For IT!!" He told me he would back me all the way. What a terrific guy!! ***10/31/02*** I had surgery a year ago and due to some complications I was out of work for 10 weeks for the initial surgery and I missed 4 weeks with the hernia repair. My supervisor has been supportive of my decision to do this since day 1 and has backed me all the way...as have my wonderful co workers.

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

my hospital stay was longer than most due to a complication which led to a second surgery. I was in for 14 days...I would say the most important things to bring are a chapstick, a fan, your own pillow from home and your favorite pajamas...you want to be comfortable!!!

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

I had a small complication...my staple line was not high enough and I had to have a 2nd surgery because of it. I also had an incisional hernia which had to be repaired which was an additional open surgery. I got frustrated about the complications at times, but I realized that it is worth going thru whatever you have to to regain your life back.

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 elated and scared when I got my date....I talked to people about it...I pictured myself in a year...I thought of things I wanted to accomplish. Mostly I prayed for the time to go fast...I was more than ready to do it.

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

My first weeks home from the hospital I was drained...I slept a lot and took it very slowly and very easy. Because you are eating very little..( I was on liquids for 6+ weeks) your body seems to tire easily. You should follow your bodys lead...sleep when you need to..rest..and just take it slowly

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

I only live about 15 minutes from the hospital where I had this done.

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.

My first 6 weeks were liquids...I ate sugar free popsicles, chicken broth and sugar free jello. I can now tolerate most foods...although I can not handle breads very well, chinese food, or any red meat other than ground meat. I also do not handle baked potatoes. I find that there are times when I will eat something that normally is fine and it will make me sick...but I usually will try something 1 or 2 times before writing it off...unless it makes me dump...then it's gone forever!!

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

My activity level was pretty low at first...I had some complications which led to a longer recovery time. My surgery was 10/31/01 and I would say that my levels increased by Jan 1st and by the time I went back to work my energy level was higher than it had been in years. Now a year later I can go and go and go...it's heaven!!

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

I take a muti vitamin daily. I don't take anything else and my blood work is good.

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?

Dumping is the worst....and I can't say that it doesn't happen...I sometimes will eat the wrong thing and dump..not often and after that happens I don't eat it again. The nausea can be frustrating...I had a major problem with that about 7 weeks after surgery and ended up back in the hospital for dehydration...but it's not been bad like that since. I do still get sick and throw up...I think that is just something I will live with due to my body makeup...but it doesn't happen too often...maybe a couple times a month and if it is more than that, it's usually something I did!!! **update** I've been post-op for 3 years now and I do deal with nausea issues as well as dehydration. This may be something that is a part of my life now, however, it is a livable situation. Although not pleasant, it is still better than what would have been without the surgery.

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

Probably waiting to get approved and for the surgery date to get here. The complications were not fun...but you get thru them...the waiting game was the worst...not knowing if you would get it or when.

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

I am part of a support group on Yahoo made up of people who went to my doctor....it's been wonderful. I have met the greatest people in the world on this journey....I got gifts of way more than just weight loss. My support group friends are family and I truly don't know that I would have made it thru without them. I think everyone should join a support group to get through this...you need people in your life who know what you are going thru.

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

LOL....well...my tummy looks like a battleground...I have many scars from this..the main one goes from breastbone to bellybutton and I have some other little ones there too. They are just my battlescars. I just tell people that I can be a playboy centerfold now cause I've already got the staple marks!!! =)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've plateau'd a few times...but nothing major...when it happens I up my water and my green tea...lower my carbs and salts...usually that will break it.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES YES YES!!!! People treat you very differently...it's very weird. I think that obesity is the last accepted predjudice and people don't even realize what they say and do. I have been lucky with the people in my life, friends, family, coworkers...they were always wonderful..even when I was over 400lbs....but I do notice that I am treated a little different now....but..there are some good points to that too...it's always nice when a guy winks at ya!! <Grin>