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

On prodigy medical support bulletin board and I was afraid if it.

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

I tried for nearly a year to get approval from my provider, Principal Health Care of Florida. After repeated denials I went to my state representative for help but he also failed. I e-mailed every congressman and senator in the federal government looking for help but found none. I finally changed to Prudential insurance because they didn't have the clause excluding any problems deemed to be a result of the surgery, (I figured that would be most anything that would happen afterwards even a cold.) then I would pay for it myself. When I got the new policy it said each case would be reviewed so I applied and got approval the first time.

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

It was surprisingly simple. We chatted and he told me of the risks and then said that he would submit a request to the insurance. To get the most out of your first meeting you should research the web extensively before going so that you will understand what he is talking about.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was decided before my first visit. The realization that if I could succeed at as many things as I had, avoid drink and drugs completely for 30 years in spite of growing up in the 60's and quit smoking 3 packs of cigarettes a day, then there must be more to my problem than lack of will power and I needed outside help.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Through my research on the internet and from the support group in place on prodigy I determined that the only prodedure to have was the RNY bypass.

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 no fears. I felt the less than one percent that died was over whelmingly in my favor. I determined that most complications came from people who didn't follow the Dr.s orders and who didn't get into some kind of physical rehab and exercise, which I did.

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 was afraid to tell my mother who has a tendency to worry but she handled it well. She was more concerned about the excessive weight that I carried than the procedure. My father was all in favor of it for the same reasons but died 2 weeks before my surgery. My wife supported me 100% before and after as did all the family. My wife did remark recently, when I ate too fast and threw up, that she felt that it was a terrible way for me to have to live and that she would rather be fat. But I assured her that it was a small price to pay to have your life back.

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

I am self employed.

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

I was in the hospital for 5 days and it was all right. I was disappointed in the hygiene or lack of it by the nursing staff but beyond that it was fine. The most important thing that you can bring is a sense of humor. You will need it to get through. I had a post it note on my stomach that said "OPEN THIS END" when I got to the pre op area. When I woke up and the Dr. asked how I felt I said I was hungry and could I get a pizza. He gave me a lecture on how I was never going to be able to eat those kinds of things again etc. ( No sense of humor)

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

My only complication is an incisional hernia from trying to step off a moving tread mill 3 weeks post op. I will return this winter to have it repaired. I suffered from some nausea but found that a sip of ginger ale would stop 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 honestly felt no nervousness or anxiety.

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

I was very tired and weak but forced myself to exercise right away to the extent that I was able. I was at my desk at work for 2 hours the day I was released and increased it from there until I was able to do full days in a couple of weeks. I slept the first few days in a recliner so that I wouldn't stretch the incision and was able to get into bed in about a week.

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

I traveled only 35 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 was on a liquid diet for 6 weeks following surgery at Dr.s orders. I did eat some cottage cheese and soups during that time with no problem. I added pasta at about 2 months and then most anything else. I found watermelon caused problems then but can eat it now. I still, 18 months later, don't do well with meat. It makes me uncomfortable so I don't eat it. I have a problem with rice still as well so I avoid it. From the start I have done well with sea food, shrimp, fish or crab legs as well as potatoes and have only recently been able to eat a small amount of bread. Dry crunchy foods like crackers have always gone down well. The down side is that snack foods (i,e. chips, nuts cheese curls ) also go down well and you must work to avoid them. I will eat nuts that require shelling for snacks at times because it slows down the pace at which you can eat them. I have noticed as the post op time increases I have a larger tolerence for amounts of food. I "GRAZE" more and must be aware that I am doing it.

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

I would not leave the hospital until I could walk to the car which took five days. I started doing 3/4 of a mile a day on a tread mill as soon as the Dr. allowed which was after 2 weeks. Within a month I was on a full aerobic workout without doing anything that would strain my abdoman. ( walking, stair climber, rowing etc.)

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

I take 2 one a day vitamins 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?

Nausia, was all I had after a couple of weeks. After talking with the Dr. I tried drinking Ginger Ale and it stopped the nausia right away.

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

All major surgery has a long recovery process but mine was quite easy. I guess that the length of time you are unable to do your normal routine is the worst part.

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

Tampa General has initiated a support group that meets once a month and it helps some. I have found that most of those there are pre op and therefore there is little help for the post op people. I have had some meaningful conversations with some others that have helped me. Also the Professionals that are there are a great benefit. With out a doubt though the support group that was available to me on the Prodigy Basic Bulletin Board was the most help. Any questions that I had after surgery was answered right away by people from all over the country. Some of us exchanged phone numbers so we could call if we had a problem and I did from time to time. To have others to confide in, talk to and compare notes with is of the up most importance!!!

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

Yes, it is not bad at all. It looks much better on me than the other 175 pounds I had.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I havn't had any real plateaus, all though the weight loss has slowed to the point where now it is about 1 1/2 to 2 lbs a month.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I mentioned in another part of this survey that many people that would hardly acknowledge me before treat me like a long lost friend now. I also find that I truly resent them being that hypocritical.