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

I saw the TV ads and looked into it in 2003. I put it off because of the Detroit councilwoman death. But I'm not going to be able to do it with long term success without this tool.

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

I have Blue Cross Messa. Raya at CORI made it snap into place like a LEGO. I had no problem getting approved.

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

My surgeon is best. I know everybody says that but they are confused. He learned from the Yoda and Obi Wan of bariatric and he is now the master. He is very real and although he should have a very high opinion of himself he doesn't. Update 2/2/06 Dr. Schuhkncht is now head of surgery at St. John's Riverview.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

HAHAHAHAHAHHA! Are you kidding me? All the cosmic tumblers clicked to make this the right moment to act - Two friends with great success with it, the best cutter, support from my bride, I could go on forever.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Micro pouch RNY is the most technically advanced technique out there. The others have limited success and although I was going to go LAP RNY I decided open because the band I played with bailed on me so there was no need for limited down time.

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 a fear of the anesthsia. I had confidence in my cutter. He is the best. Even if he opened me up and found out I was a Ford Mustang on the inside he would have been able to do the job.

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?

All my family members were on the same page with me. My band however, who I worked with for almost 4 years bailed on me because I "didn't consult with them" about the surgery. They were my best friends or at least I though they were.

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

They had no choice - my principal's mom was my doctor's OR tech. Small world.

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

I was there two days. For the most part it was good. They did manage to get adhiesive tape on me in spite of my telling everyone including the custodians that I had an allergy to it. One of my nurses actualy missed the with the medicine I needed for a headache - tylonol supository.

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

NONE

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

Doing pretty good so far. I step lightly as to what goes in my yapper.

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

Ups and downs. Every day is an adventure. Some days with nausia and some are fine. Gas is the iggest problem but since I like to fart I'm cool with it.

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

48 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.

Of course sugar is out. I also stay away from bread. I have developed a problem with dairy products and have begun to use soy instead. It started at about 5 weeks and is still with me 3 and a half months out.

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

Light walking at first to full blast walking JAM MAN!!!! I am now back to Judo and loving it. 107 down as of today.

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

Flintstones chewable. Update 2/2/06 Country LIfe Chewables or GNC Solitron Chewable multi

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?

Nausia for weeks two through five. I had a full blown dump in week 4 at someone elses hand. They gave me regular frozen yogurt when I asked for S/F!

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

The back pain after my weight started to shift. It only lasted about two weeks. I got over it.

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

My friends on the Michigan board and the other WLS surgery posties I know. They are all very important but my family is my #1 source of support. Update 4/27/05 I am part of a walking group on Saturday mornings at Lakeside Mall in Utic Michigan. We walk and talk about whatever the WLS issue is of the day. We put in about 4-5 miles.

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

It's about 8 inches and exactly what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had three plateaus and they all were short but during one I actualy lost 3 inches from my waist.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. They are very polite to me. They look me in the eye and women approach me all the time. It almost makes me cry to think that the only thing that they can tell has changed is my size. Little kids talk to me and smile at me now. How horrible people are to the obese. It's because of this I go to Harper hospital and talk with patients and walk them on my time off. Someone needs to show these people they are cared about.