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

I was on one of our local tv stations web site and ran across a headline that read "Local women looses 100 pounds" which caught my attention. This would be the first time I had ever heard about gastrc-bypass I went home that evening and told my wife I was going to get this procedure done and she told me that I was not. We spent a great deal of time researching by-pass surgery and in doing so met up with Dr. Michael Snyder at Rose Medical Center in Denver and the rest so they say is history.

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

Dr. Snyder's office submitted the paperwork and I was approved in two days. I beleive that because he and staff are such pros at what they do contributed to my rapid approval. Not only did I get approval in a short period of time they were also able to get my approval for my tummy tuck as well. They are just a wonderful.

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

My first visit with Dr. Snyder was just wonderful. I was really nervous about going in for the first time but Dr. Snyder made me feel really comfortable. He treated me with great respect and went over everything in great detail but not so much as to confuse you. He is a very compassionate individual who really cares for those he works with. He makes you feel like family and treats you as such even after the surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After learning about this procedure I knew it was for me. I realized that this would be my final attemt at getting rid of the excess weight and that I was going to be successful. I devloped the right mind set prior to going for the sugery. I was deterined to make it work and use the tool the way it was to be used.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted to be successful, therefore I did not want anything that I easily defeat or mess with. The lap band seemed to me to be just that kind of procedure. If yu were not happy with it ypou change with it plat wiyj it I did not want that option, therefore by-pass surgery was going to be my choice and I have not been disappointed.

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 did not have any worries except for the fear of failure in the back of mind even thoughr I was going into this with what I thought to be the right mind set. I was more concerned about what was going to happen to me if I did have this procedure. I tell people that they need to weight he risks between what is going to happen if they have the surgery vs not having the surgery. Which option can you live with which one can you not live with?

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 tell any of my familt members of my decision to have this surgery because of failing on other diets I did not want to have to go through the pain of failure again. I went into the hospital for hernia surery which I truley had. It was not until the weight started coming off that I had to tell every one what I had done just to explain the weight loose. My only regreat of not telling anyone was that my Mom and Dad both passed away prior to me reaching my goal weight and therefore they were not able to witness my success. Both of parents were always very concerned about my weight but never loved any less because of my weight. am sure they would have been very proud of my accomplishments. My Mom was at one time over weight and she was one of those determined individuals who was so determined to loose her weight that she did so on her on and was very successful at loosing that weight and keeping it off until the day she passed away.

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

They did not know that I was going in for the surgery. It was not until the weight started dropping off did I finally tell them what I had done. After loosing the weight the wife and I relocated from Colorado to Arkansas to retire however I applied for a job I had dreamed of since retiring from Coors Brewery. I had applied for several of these jobs would et an interview and told that I was qualified for the job but never heard another word from them. I belive that becaus eof my size 517 pounds was the direct result of not getting thise jobs. Since losing the weight I interviewed for my current job and landed it and was even in a position to negotiate my strating wage and working conditions. For once I felt in control aand had the power. What a gret feeling.

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

My stay in the hospital under the cirumstances was very good. I found the staff to be very well schooled in taking care of bariatric patients. Dr Snyder had met with the staff and they all knew what had to be done when. I was in for 5 days because Dr. Snyder had to do open because of my size and I knew that going in. I don't recall anything that really stood out as necessary while there.

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

No complications from the original surgery except for hernia problems which I had prior to surgery. I did experience alot of complications from the tummy tuck. Several drain tubes, prescriptions, etc I finally made a full recovery but all still worth it.

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 so excited it was really hard to contain myself. I knew I was going to get a new lease on life and was excited to be so fortunate. Because I did not tell anyone excpet for my wife of the surgery I did not have the joy of sharing this with anyone. After the weight lose I readilly share my experience with everyone. Until moving from Colorado to Arkansas I made it a point to attend everyone of Dr. Snyder's seminars because I have a real desire to share my experiences with those considering this procedure. Having been where they are I feel I can speak to them and relate information to them that I hope will allow them to make a educated descision about pursuing this operation.

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

I was sore and found it hard to get comfortable in order to get a good nights sleep. I slept in a recliner for the first few weeks, becuse i founds it to be more comfortable than lying in bed. Don't expect to go home and pick up where you left off. It is not going to happen you are going to fell tired and sore and moving around will not be at the top of your list. However the sooner you do get up and start moving around the better off you will be as this will help you getting your strenghth back in a shorter period of time.

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

I was living in Denver when I had ny surgery so my commute was only about 6 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.

I follwed Dr. Snyder's instructions to the letter. After arriving at home did protien shakes and then progressed on to foods that were liquified in the blender all pretty much bland foods high in protien and no sugar or carbs. Today 3 years after surgery I still do not eat anything that has sugar listed in the top three ingrediants of the product and keep carbs to a minimum. Stay with protien. After the surgery I found that alot of the foods that I once liked I no longer like dthe taste of and some of the things I could not stand actually tasted pretty good. So be prepared to experience a whole eating experience after surgery.

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

After arriving home did not want to do much except sit around but Because Dr. Snyder had told me how important getting up and moving around was, I truley tried to follow his instructions. It was uncomfortable but as the days passed by it became easier and easier. I went back to work after being off for two weeks.

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

No dietary supplements only a multi vitamin and B12. Nothing else.

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?

Loss of hair was a problem but that stopped after a period of time hair has since returned to normal. Felt that losing hair was a minimal consequence to living a normal healthy life.

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

Having to get and walk while in hospital. I know how important it was to do that but very hard and uncomfortable. The tube going throught he nose was not a pleasnt experience either.

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

I basicall relied on the support of my wife. I did not attend any support group meetings or programs during my aftercare.

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

It is there but does not bother me at all. I see it every day while taking a shower and it has no effect on me at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Had some samll plateaus but generally lasted a couple of days. It seemed like I dropped pounds during the entire time until I reached my goal weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Most definitly being treated differently than before the weight loss. People seem to acknolwedge my presence rather than just being ignored and left to myself. I also noticed than during my search for a job I was treated a lot differently during interviews. Prior to weight loss thaty would last only a few minutes. My last interviews were lenghtly and very productive.