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

Hearing from people who had the surgery and internet information.

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

Very unpleasant. My insurance company refused to help me. I was at least 100 lbs overweight, had medical necessity letters from 3 doctors, and they refused to help.

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

Didn't meet him till I went to Tijuana, but it was a very pleasant meeting, and I felt confidence after meeting him.

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?

Nobody wanted me to go to Tijuana, but it was the only affordable answer, and I'm glad I did it!

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

They wished me well. I was out only 2 weeks.

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

It was a clinic, I was there for 1 night, but if I had to do it again, I would go to a hospital instead.

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

No complications, and I'm 2 weeks out.

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 feel great!

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

My weight is falling off me and I'm thrilled.

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

3000 miles. My aftercare will be at a local hospital.

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.

Poultry products, most Chinese food and pasta dont seem to agree with me. Cottage cheese with no sugar fruit cocktail goes down with no problems

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

I'm 2 weeks out now, and I feel great, and can do almost everything I did previous.

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

Vitamin multi tablets

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?

none

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

The floor Dr. in the clinic gave me medication too quickly and it made me nauseous. They remedied that quickly with a different med.

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

no support except for my wife who is an R.N.

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

Minimal

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

lots of folks telling me how good I look