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

I found out about it through my doctor and did extensive research on the internet before I really made a decision that this was for me.

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

That was an interesting path. It took getting really sick and a 12 day stay in the hospital to finally get approval. I was able to get on my wife's insurance in September, I ended up in the hospital in October for 12 days, and in December I got the approval letter. I told the insurance company that it would be cheaper to have one good operation then to have me keep coming back to the hospital every couple of months. And that it would be a wise investment in the long run.

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

I really enjoyed meeting Dr. Babineau, we had the same interests, he liked to play video games and liked to fix up old arcade games. He had a good sense of humor and so did I.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Mainly my health problems, I wanted to be around someday to see my daughter get married and I wanted to enjoy life again, having the weight kept me from enjoy a full healthy life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with Dr. Babineau's advice.

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?

After having open heart surgery a few years ago, I had no fear of anything. You have to have positive attitude throughout all of it.

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?

Some were mixed, others prayed for me as I went through that change of life.

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

I am now self employed!

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

I look at it as an adventure! The day I went in was really funny. A few weeks before my wife had packed a jar of olives in my backpack that I had my clothes in, and my pastor who had driven me dropped my backpack on the floor breaking the jar of olives on the floor of the surgery prep room. I just thought the whole thing was really funny and started laughing so hard and out loud. And they had just given me the drugs to start sedating me. I was there for 4 days, and being there was an experience. They had just built a bariatric wing, the only problem was, was that the toilets where bolted to the wall instead of to the floor. And I almost had the toilet come out of the wall. If you are ever going in for the surgery, check the rooms of the wing out to get an idea of where you will be recovering at.

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

No I didnt, I healed up just fine.

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

The first two weeks I didnt feel like eating anything except ice pops and mostly slept at times all day. After that it started to get better.

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

It was a good time to train yourself the discipline of eating all over again. About not eating fattening foods or sugar. I was mainly tired alot for about 2 weeks.

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

I mainly stayed home and rested and healed up.

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 found out I couldnt eat regular fruit and juice bars, had to have the sugar free kind. No more regular sugar, (I use only Spenda now), never order the post roast with greasy gravy on top. If you do make sure you have an open bathroom to dump. I ate eggs, eventually adding bits a cheese with it, and deli ham for an omlette. When I get a sweet tooth I can tolerate York Peppermint patties. I love yogart. I love eating watermelon, grapefruit with spenda on top, strawberries. I tried eating a little tiny bit of honey and it didnt go too well.

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

I started walking alot after the surgery, now I swim and can walk on the treadmill with no sweat. Before I could hardly walk without breathing heavy.

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

I take Centrum Complete.

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 guess the food testing and the results of dumping, and the really bad side effect of gas. I usually will eat something at home first before I eat out.

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

The Hospital Bill. Ha Ha!!

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

I went the one time but found out that I have all the self confidence I need, so I really dont need a support group. I have my family and friends to support me.

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

With my scar from my heart surgry it now looks like an upside down t across my chest.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am gaining more self confidence back and dont see myself as that fat jolly man. And that is bound to scare some people who know me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have been having good experiences since the surgery, I can walk around now and have people look at me and know its not because I am heavy anymore and know I am not getting laughed at.