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

I've known about bariatric surgery for quit some time. I've never had a very optomistic impression of it, always thinking that if I wanted to I could lose all of the excess weight, why not? I did it once before. But the fact is that I now had a lower matabolism, less willpower, and was so overweight that I could no longer excersize properly.

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

I was extremely blessed with my new federal job, the insurance covered all of my costs, the only thing that I was out, was the initial fee charged by the doctor's office of $175.00, and I still have to see if I can get my insurance to pay for this.

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

I first spoke with my surgeon on the phone during a Health Line call in sponsered by my local NBC television station, and he answered every question that I asked very competantly and honestly. One can gain a great deal from the first conference with their physician by spending about a week writing down every question that comes to mind about the surgery, and how it will affect them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Our local NBC station was having a Health call in one day after the local news aired and it was staffed by local doctors, and when I called in, I asked the doctor that answered if anyone there performed bariatric surgery, and he stated that that was one of his specialties, and that he gave a free seminar once a month, and after anwering a few questions, I called his office and scheduled my wife and I for the seminar. After the seminar I was ready for the surgery to be performed by Dr. Mailapur.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had my mind made up to either have the mini-gastric bypass or the lapband, but after speaking with local physicians and clinics around my area, and finding out that my insurance only pays for one gastric surgery per insured per lifetime, (a lot of persons who have the lapband, and lose about 50 - 70 percent of their weight, return to have the full gastric surgery to lose and keep off the extra weight) and that the lapband requires routine maintenance, and finally after speaking with my physician who performs both the Ruin-Y and the Lapband, I decided to go with the Ruin-Y.

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 fought with the fears of bariatric surgery complications for about 5 years and after experiencing secondary complications from diabetes (Bi-lateral Charcot's Joint Disease, my wife going blind from Diabetic Retinopathy, and the loss of both of her parents around the age of 60 and a host of others, Neuropathy, Yeast infections, and frequent urination) the thought of bariatric surgery complications, or dying seemed like the less of the two evils when compared with what I suffered from daily. The only regrets that I have now are that I wished that I had done this sooner, so that I would have not experienced the problems that I have, and that I would have had a better last few years.

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?

Family and Friends have been very supportive.

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

My employer and supervisor have been very supportive. I was honest about the procedure that I was having. I was only out of work 1 week. I had the procedure on a monday morning, and left the hospital on Wednesday morning and could have returned to work on Thursday, but I took it easy for a few more days, I enjoyed the rest.

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

Honestly I could have gone home the same day of the surgery, I probably would have got more rest. But my physician, Dr. Mailapur likes for his patients to stay about 3 days, in case of complications. A good pair of slippers are important, as you will be doing some walking.

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

So far (15 days post) I have not had any complications.

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

Honestly, what little anxiety I experienced was allieved by the doctor and his staff.

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

After the first week, getting used to the drastically decreased caloric intake and adjusting to the lower blood sugars have been my only problems. I try, and do not usually follow, the doctor's orders of eating (a protein shake or sugar free jello) every hour, but if I do, I feel a whole lot better.

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

Only a couple of 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.

In the second week, when I could incorporate protein shakes and cream soups back into my diet, I felt stronger. Meats, no matter how well chewed do not do well, although I could tolerate small amounts of tuna and chicken salad, made as though for a sandwich, I've not had any bread, one of my big weaknesses, for months now, but I really do not miss it. I also cannot tolerate scrambled eggs.

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

I took it easy the first week, and tried to do too much the second week, like push mow the grass, and had to take frequent breaks, also long strenuous walks must be worked up to, or put off until the 2nd week.

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

I try, but do not take my vitamins like I should. I take a chewable multivitamin 4 times a day, a chewable iron pill at night, sublingual vitamin B complex once per day, probably should be more often, and a chewable Viactive Calcium 4 times a day, it is like candy. I do a lot better if I drink at least 2 protein shakes a day, along with my meals.

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've only had about 3 bouts of nausea with vomiting, and it was from trying to eat meat, but I would consider them very minor, I sleep about 10 times better, and especially since I've lost weight. I've not had any dumping, although getting back on my fiber therapy has been a challenge, I've had good luck with adding Benefiber to my shakes and foods.

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

The absolute worse part was the Foley Catheter! The first three urinations were similar to passing gasoline that was on fire! But afterwards, all is well.

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

At current, I have not joined a support group, but I have found one, and I do intend upon joining.

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

I have six incisions, ranging from 1/4" to about 1.25", and they are what I expected, and suprisingly being a diabetic, they are healing wonderfully, after just 2 weeks post op, a couple of the scabs have come off.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well, after my second week, my weight loss stopped and was only within a few ounces and I decided to not weigh myself but once every week. I figure that the water stabilization, eating different foods, adjusting my diabetic medication, and excersize, has a lot to do with this.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, people tend to ask how I am, more often, and are really noticing my weight loss.