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

I teach medical instrumentation have known about by pass surgery fro many years. I thought RNY was too extreme for me.

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

I submitted everything to the SWL center, got a call to meet the surgeon (thought he was going to tell me if I was a candidate or not) got a surgical date that day. I didn't even know I was approved, they did EVERYTHING!. I was very impressed after reading all the nightmares many have gone through.

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

He just explained the procedure and asked if I had questions. He was very professional.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

co morbidities and the realization I could not do it on my own.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I liked the fact that the band was reversible if something went wrong.

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 knew there is always a risk with anesthesia, but I put that into perspective that I could also die while driving to work the next day. I was also worried about a nosocomial infection. (infection caught in hospital) These risks are no worse than driving to work etc.

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 did not tell anyone about it before. I was probably a little embarrassed that I could not loose weight on my own. Had to explain to my wife the problems that could occur with my diabetes and other co morbidities. I'm just now to the point where I'm not ashamed to talk about it. Everyone has been very supportive after the fact.

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

my employer still knows nothing of the surgery. I took two sick days. Had surgery on Thurs. and went to work on Monday. My administrative assistant knew because she had RNY a year ago. She was very helpful with questions etc. She never told a soul.

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

Checked in 5:30 am on Thursday, checked out Friday at 11am. My wife, she was there every minute, she was great.

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

No. Except quite a bit of pain urinating after the catheter was taken out.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Excited yet nervous. I just knew this was my chance to get co morbidities under control, to feel better and look normal.

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

First 4 days or so I was in pretty much pain when getting up (abdominal muscles sore) Soreness goes away the more you walk. People should just try to take it easy and heal.

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

3 miles. Seems like cheating but I was very fortunate to have Dr. Cook in my hometown.

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.

24 days out and feel I could eat anything, have not tried beef yet. Also have not had my first fill. I was on clear liquids for 3 days, then non-clear liquids, then mushy foods then reg. diet. Off limits for life - coconut.

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

started a walking routine about 2 1/2 weeks out.

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

chewable multi vitamin. Protein shake to make sure I get 60 g. of protein a day.

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?

NO adverse side effects so far. Keeping my fingers crossed for after the first fill.

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

Day after surgery I was in pretty much pain from the surgery, swelling etc. This went away quickly as the days passed. At 4 days out I went to work for about half a day, just did paperwork. Fear/anxiety leading up to surgery and 10 day liquid diet.

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

They are held once a month here in Hickory. Have not been yet.

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

fairly small. Scar where port is close to is probably 3-3.5 inches long, is a little bigger than I expected but I could not care any less.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am currently not loosing. Lost 20 lbs. first 20 days. Now that swelling has gone down I've noticed I can eat much more. Need my first fill.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, most people don''t know. I'd say in 6 months when I lose more weight people will start asking questions.