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

I did about 3 years of research. Initially I was scared. When I was much younger, I knew folks who had their stomach stapled. Some had disastrous results; one was almost fatal. I also knew of someone who ate through their staples. So I knew I needed to find about option. I did my homework.

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

I had no issue with my insurance company, mostly because the folks at Advance Laparoscopic Surgeons knew how to deal with them. Most importantly, my G.P. doctor already had charted my diet attempts and failures, and noted this was a reasonable discussion she and I came up with. My advice, make sure your family doctor notes this decision/procedure was agreed by them.

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

What I liked most about Dr. Abkin was his straight-forward honestly. He never talked me into one procedure or the other. He listened, and respected the surgery I wanted. .. I would suggest to research all the different types of WL programs out there, then come with a list of questions to ask the doctor. I had approximately 30 questions. The most important questions to ask the doctor are: (A) how many procedures performed, (B) Successful Rate vs. Failure Rate, (C) rate of complications (D) What complications their patients had, (E) Has a patients die, (F) If so was it caused to complications that could have been prevented, (G) What have they learned from any adverse operations.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Again, the research I did on both the proceedure and Dr Abkin.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

In all my research: I found that over a 5 year period, banded patients loose the same amount of weight as bypass patients. I liked the fact the mortality rate of a banded patient is less then bypass. It is easier to reverse a banded stomach. And malabsorption is greatly reduced because there is no rerouting of the stomach.

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 no fear about dying or complications. I had faith that the Lord has guided me here, and there was no need to fear HIS guidance. The only "fear" I had was the pain afterward. Boy was I EVER WRONG. I was back to normal in two days.

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?

All my friends and family were very happy that I made the decision that I did. While some thought I should do a bypass, they all knew I was doing the operation I FELT COMFORTABLE with.

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 were also happy to see that I have decided to do this. I hid nothing from them. I was out of work for two weeks - only because I had vacation time coming to me. In reality, I could have been back to work in two days.

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

I was in the hospital at 7:00 a.m., and in my front door at 3:00 p.m. The staff at Saint Peters were A-#1. I have no regrets.

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

The only "complication" (if you want to call it that) I experienced was from the anesthesia. Since I never had anesthesia before, I didnt know what to expect when I came to. From what I hear, my reaction was normal.

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 joke with folks and tell them, the days (weeks) after the operation: if I had been in a coma, and came too days/weeks after the operation - I would never had known I had an operation. It was as if nothing changed - but of course it has :=)

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

If having the lap-band, NOTHING. You should feel normal - except the amount of "food" you can consume. It's marvelous !!

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.

Its too numerous to go into detail, but as long as you follow the guidelines set by your doctor, you should be ok. .. The first 2 - 3 days I had clear liquids (broth, ice pops, water). .. 3 day - 2 weeks: I was on soft food (oatmeal, Farina, yogurt, applesauce, etc) .. Now mind you, I stayed an extra two weeks doing soft-foods. It was a PERSONAL reason. It wasnt because I could not tolerate anything more food. It was because I was extremely satisfied being full while eating what I was. .. After 1 month, I tried cold cuts, tuna - and so far so good.

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

Same to better then when I started

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

Multi-vitamin, B12, and Calcium with Vitamin D

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 .. plus I'm bald, so I don't worry about hair loss :) !!

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

Not doing it sooner !!

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

I go to a support group once a month. And I come to OH regularly.

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

It's nothing gross or crazy. It's just "a scar". Since I didn't really expect much, I have no other comment.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

n/a

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Treating - no ... My friends and family still love me the same (but there is less to love) .. as for those who didn't like me when I was heavier, they still don't like me .. it's not because of the weight, it's a problem .. ON THEIR END :) !!