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

Read about it, investigated it, saw others go through bypass and during investigation, discovered vertical sleeve procedure.

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

it was a two year process. I think it is criminal that insurance companies make it so difficult to achieve a permanent solution to what truly for me and many others like me is clearly a disease. Since my surgery, all of my medical issues have disappeared.

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

It was very informative. The first surgeon I interacted with was very knowlegable, but not very conversational. The second was more willing to explain and was very clear that he ultimately would decide on the procedure that would be most effective for me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

A combination of being totally disgusted with being overweight and confidence in my surgeon.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I am extremely active and the side effects associated with the traditional bypass did not appeal to me. A lap band would not yield the results I desired, so the VSG was perfect for me.

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 was at the point in my life that I honestly could not live in my overweight condition any longer. The mental toll was unbearable. I wanted to take control of my life and was tired of failure. I had confidence in my surgeon that the risks would be within acceptable parameters. It sounds morbid, but I wasn't afraid of death because I was dying slowly every day. Enough was enough.

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 supportive and my daughter was concerned. I wouldnt change anything and they are still both incredibly supportive.

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

They expressed concern. I supervise a large number of people and I let them know what I was doing because I knew I would lose weight rapidly and I didn't want rumors of serious illness to run rampant. I was off work 3 weeks.

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

My treatment at Wood County Hospital was excellent. They are a smaller hospital that has many bariatric patients. I was there 3 days. Most important to bring? Just a good attitude!

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

No complications at all. Just made sure that I followed the doctors recommendations to the letter.

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

Nothing but excited and determined.

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

You will be learning a whole new set of skills and lifestyle. Follow orders explicitly, expect some nausea, expect deep fatigue.

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

25 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.

Weird changes......no longer can eat fish. minimal beef. no bread. very limited rice/pasta. no problems with dairy products. No pizza, no flour tortillas, hot pretzels, nothing carbonated. What affected me negatively just after surgery still affects me now.

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

Limited.

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

Centrum multivitamin, 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 had none of these. Found that following the doctors recommentations allowed me to avoid all of this.

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

I can't think of one thing that I would term worst! No regrets!

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

None. I continue to visit Obesity Help. com and I honestly think this has been the best support for me.

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

minimal. laproscopic.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

after rapid weight loss, began "stairstepping" downward. just be patient.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

absolutely! Involved in business and people take you more seriously and value your opinion more. sad, but true.