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 insurance. i was approved within a week. My insurance provider owns the hospital I had the surgery in.

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

I first met my surgeon at an open workshop. His presnetation was suberb, and I made up my mind right then to have the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

No other rational choices remained. I wanted to live, and live a productive life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Through research and consultation with my doctor.

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 minor fear, but my wife was more concerned. My doctor had very impressive statistics on past surgery.

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 was upset with this at the beginning. She was afraid of the risks involved, and was aware that others having the surgery were ultimately unsuccessful. She was concerned that I wouldn't follow through with the aftercare.

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

I was out of work for two weeks. My employers were very supportive.

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

It was ok. I was there about 30 hours

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

No complications, except an inability to go to the bathroom initially. I needed a catharization.

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 had increasing anxiety that culminated a day or two before surgery. Post-op I was fine, and adapted to the post-op instructions quite well.

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

The only real problem I had was stomach pain, which was to be expected. Getting out of the chair, coughing, and laughing were especially difficult. I followed the instructions involving liquid, then regular intake over the course of time.

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

about 45 minutes

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.

I had lap band surgery. I followed the proscibed regimen, and had little difficulty. The only foods i have some difficulty with at this time is bread, and dark turkey meat sometimes.

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

I started walking right after surgery, about 1/2 hour per day, and this was increased to my presnet level of 4.5 hours per week

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

Bariatric Chewable 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 have occasional vomiting, usually when I eat to fast, or don't chew my food properly.

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

Getting all of my pre-op medical requirements completed. It was quite an ordeal, and seemed at times that it would never end.

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

Monthly Support Groups

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

Five small scars. No different then what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lose weight, but slowly, about 1.5 pounds per week. Of ocurse, I had a major drop right after surgery, when i was drinking liquids.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some people are beginning to notice my weigh loss.