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

I first heard of it when I was 11 years old when my mother had it. She was at 400 lbs and this was 29years ago. she has kept off a lot of weight too. While growing up I was concidered average size but was always felt bigger than the rest of my family. My initial impression when I really ubderstood what it was became a thought of that the people who did it were cheating in the weight game, I then realized that it was not cheating but a kick start!

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

I didnt have any trouble getting coverage because my BMI index was really high and I was going to have health issues. My opnion is to never give up because this is a new lifestyle change that if you need it, stick to it and go get it!

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

Mine was pretty casual, I was nervoous but if you have a great surgeon, he will make you feel comfortable.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

When I had trouble keeping up with my kids.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor recommended this and it seemed to be the best and most performed without complications.

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?

Complications are there but rare, so you never know. My feelings were that I wanted to be healthier for my kids and this was how to do 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?

My wife was going to have the surgery also but when our insurance was interupted she was not able to continue. I picked mine back up and hers did not start for another 30 days, so my surgery was scheduled and she ended up loosing weight before her insurance picked up so she couldnt do it any longer. She has been supportive but she has indicated that she is jeolous of my weight loss. My in-laws have been back and forth, telling me that it was too risky and if I just watched what I ate I would lose the weight. My own family is very supportive, my mother had the surgery about 30 yearss ago, my sister had the surgery the same day as myself. I dont think I would have let my in laws know I was having it without furhter educating them. my father in law is now a great supporter, he has seen my eating habits and the weight loss and has come around.

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

He has been great, I told him that for my health I was having the surgery and he said "Good for you". He has actaully asked if I was ok when we have had luncheoons, he was concerned about what I was able to eat. I was only out from work for three days.

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

My stay was actually very pleasent. The nurses were great except when I was sleeping they came in every three hours to check my vitals. I ended up sleeping a lot due to the pain medicine they kept giving me. It knocked me out! I was only there for two nights. I didnt bring anything but my sweats, a t-shirt and my slippers.

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

There was no complications! YEAH!

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

Feeling was fine, I had a lot of trouble getting as much water down as possible because I always felt full. The liquid diet really kicked my butt though. I still have anxiety and its been 21 days. I wasnt sure how to deal with it and now I have decided that when it hits I am going to hit the exersize bike and gazzelle.

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

The first few weeks were hard oonly because of the liquid diet. It's really hard to realize what you have done and you will be in better shape because of it. The pain was bearable, even without the pain pills.

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

I did not have to travel out of town, in town was only about 8 miles to my house. My wife was driving though and she's a little rough on the brakes and taking off.

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.

The first week of liquids was hard trying to get them down because I was always full. When I was able to get to the soft food diet was great, but even after a werek or two of that, the same foods became bland and miserable to eat. I am sticking to the diet though. I am only 21 days out and have not graduated to solid food yet, two more days!

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

I find myself getting to be more and more active the further from surgery I get. I dont know whether it is from eating different or knowing that exersize was a part of my lifestyle that I needed to change for the better.

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

I have been taking the chewable multivitamin with iron, B-12, calcium.

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 havent seen any of these symptoms at this time, I was loosing my hair before surgery so I dont think I would notice that. HaHaHa.

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

The pre-op diet.

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

Not much. My biggest support group has been the ObesityHelp website, A lot of nice people who are going through the same thing and willing to talk about it really helps.

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

I had the laproscopy, only have 5 small half inch to one inch scars that are healing up nicely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

After the first week I had lost 21 lbs, during the second week while my body weas adjusting to getting soft foods back in I didnt lose any weight, the third week I didnt lose any until the end of the week. I guess my body was still adjusting.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am not sure, they all say they notice I have lost weight but its still too early to tell.