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

I heard of a relative who had had the surgery and how well they were doing thinking to myself, not me!

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

My iunsurance company has been great and i have had no problems what so ever getting approval. I dont have any advice, each insurance company may be different. The only thing i can say is if there are qualifications and or guidlines or deadlines to be met follow everything to the letter your insurance company asks you too and things "should" run smoothly for you. Good Luck!

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

My first meeting went great but my wife is a nurse and speaks doctor and can translate stuff i do not understand. Research the procedure you have chosen, Know the risks and possible complications before they are explained to you and make a list of questions to take with you to your first visit.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Sleep apnea, diabetes, High blood preasure, having to take 6 or 7 shots a day plus sticking my fingers to check my sugar at least that many times. Knowing i was killing myself while enjoying every bite of the food i loved to eat.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance required that you attend a seminar as a condition of qualification and i had chosen the Lap Band however after meeting my surgeon the first time and finding out there was a full laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure available and reading statistics or long term sucess i decided that was the one for me.

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 was scared to death plain and simple, not gonna lie about it but i made it through. What i would tell others is to know the risks and dsecide for yourself. When you get down to it this is a very personal choice. You are about to change your life forever, make sure you are doing it for you because it is you who have to live with 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?

Everyone has been very supportive, YMMV.

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

Time off work is 4 to 6 weeks and im the boss so the rest is N/A

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

I was in the hosp. 5 days total 2 days longer then my wife who had the same surgery two weeks prior to mine due to and infection at a lap site which caused a slight fever (100.6)

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

A slight infection at one lap site out of seven whih was handled with IV anitbiotics.

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 very nervous. I tried to keep my mond busy and my mental attitude possitive. I also saw a therapist to help cope with the stress.

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

At this writing i have been home from the hospital 5 days. You should expect to be very mantally confused about food and your decissions. I am.

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

10 miles, no affect at all.

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 am in stage 2,1 week post op, liquid shakes and clear fluids and or cystal light type flavors only for now.

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

Increasing, i am walking approx 1.5 miles a day.

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

2 chewable multi vitamins and a calcium supplement.

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 have not had any of those listed yet as i am staying strickly to the program.

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

Getting an IV, that really skeeves me out and also having an NG tube up my nose.

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

My wife having had the same surgery two weeks before me we share supporting each other, also out friends and family have been very supportive. We aslo attend group suport meetings.

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

I have 7 1/2 inch cuts that should heal and fade to nothing eventually. No stitched at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

N/A at this point.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, postponing meals and most seem obsessed to talk about food but that might just be my perception.