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

My cousins had had the surgery in 2003 and had success and then alot of info came up on tv about the procedure and then I found this site and with the help of my PCP, I educated myself and did the needed research to meet with Dr Rosenthal @ Cleveland Clinic in Weston, FL.

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

My experience can best be described as non-eventful as a result of 8 comorbidities. My request was approved within a week of submission. However, I had all my pre-testing completed with I met with the surgeon.

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

Business-like - they have a set regime and you must follow it. Once that part is completed then the staff and the surgeon become almost like members of your family.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

depression and desperation. I wasn't living, I was just coasting by day to day. EXISTING ONLY

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr Rosenthal actually decided but I had already read up on most of the procedures and knew that RNY was considered the "gold standard".

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 left all my affairs in order with my best friends acting as my executors. When I went into the operating room, I had left letters with them to distribute to my family and loved ones in the event of my passing. I didn't expect to make it - my health was so bad at that point that I knew I was going to die very soon with or without the surgery

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 son is still upset with me, my parents concerned, my partner happy but concerned with continuing health issues, my friends some have been supportive other still put their own 2 cents into things that aren't any of their business.

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

WACHOVIA BANK - appears to be supportive however now they are fabricating "issues" to document my performance after 23 yrs working for them without one write up. They appear all supportive, I have 26 weeks of STD time available if needed, however in reality since it affects me not being there, the are not happy. I also had several complications that had me rehospitalized causing me to be out a total of 12 weeks in the last 13 months.

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

Cleveland Clinic hospital in Weston Fl is like staying in a 5star hotel. The nursing staff treats it's patients like royalty. They are very concerned on the confort of it's obese patients and have provision for larger bed, bath, wheelchairs and garments for the morbidly obese.

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

Yes, I had strictures @ 4, 12, and 18 weeks post op. I had to have dilations performed each time. I was admitted to the hospital 25 days post op for dehydration. Lastly, I was operated on for a bowel obstruction and adhesions in November.

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

Emotionally - I was great at first it was after many complications that I actually became depressed in Sept 2006 almost 1 yr post op.

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

I had little pain. I was walking within 10 hours of my surgery - but then again, I'd lost a family member and in the back of my mind, I was not going to let myself die. I joined a gym 10 days after the surgery even though I couldn't start excercising until 6 weeks after my surgery.

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

My Surgery was perform on the other side of the state. I live in Florida and would travel 2 hours to the hospital each and every time I had a consult and uprouted my parents for 1 week at the time of my surgery.

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.

EGGS!!! OH my God, the first few weeks merely seeing an egg would cause a gag reflex. I still can't eat meatloaf, bread, rice.Soda is a no no but I do use it when something gets "stuck" a sip or two and things get moving. I'm 13 months post op and can eat just about anything. Sugar is a definate nono. Dumping is a serious consequence.

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

The 1st month I felt like someone had plugged me into an electrical socket. I was zipping around everywhere. Then suddenly it was gone and came back @ the 3rd month.

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

Multi vitamins, calcium, b-12, iron (1x/wk) colace weekly because of the high protein diet....

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?

Vomitting - daily multi times Dumping syndrome Hair Loss Fatigue

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

Vomitting and dumping - other than that I would do it again in a heart-beat. No Regrets

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

My parents and 20 yo son live with me and my friends also took care of me and them. I had round the clock care @ the hospital and then @ home. It is vital since you are so sore after the surgery. Friends also help you laugh which helps get more air in your lungs and helps you heal faster!

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

I had non ivasive surgery so I just have a few scars scattered around my belly. My c section looks worse.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

n/a

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Of Course, now I get respect, Envy from coworkers/mgr, I got whistled at just yesterday @ work.