Here is a list of questions that I am frequently asked regarding the procedure. (please keep in mind that I am NOT a Dr., and do not represent Dr. Fobi in any way. This page is my OWN personal account of my surgery, and is ONLY a reference!)
1) What is the adverage recovery time?
In my experience, I found that I was up & walking around pretty easy at 3 - 4 weeks post surgery, and doing water aerobics at around 7 weeks post surgery.
2) What is entailed in this surgery?
The official name for Dr. Fobi's operation is called a "vertical gastric bypass with silastic ring". As it was explained to me, the difference between the surgery I had and a normal gastric bypass is that I have a silastic ring at the bottom of my 'pouch' (or new stomach) which prohibits the emptying of food into the small intestine from happening too quickly. Thus making me feel fuller for a longer period of time.
3) What does the scar look like?
My scar is from just below the breast plate to about 2" above the navel.
4) How soon can you eat after surgery?
I was eating ice chips the night of my surgery, and eating pureed food by 2 days post surgery.
5) How expensive is this surgery?
As I was told, this surgery can run anywhere from $40,000 and up.
6) What side effects, if any have you encountered?
The only real side effects that I personally have encountered is; moderate diarrhea (which is nothing that anti-diarrheal pills can't solve), an intollerance to soft breads and noodles, an intollerance to anything containing large amounts of sugars (i.e. chocolates / candies), an intollerance to anything carbonated (such as soft drinks, beer, etc.), and a dislike for red meats (for some reason, I prefer to eat chicken over steak anyday!)
7) What is the adverage size meal you can eat?
This is a common question. Basically, a regular meal at a restaurant can feed me 3 - 4 times (depending on the size of the meal). Which is why I chose to order 'kiddie' meals, these meals will feed me about 1 1/2 times. A typical 'fast food' meal for me would be about a taco & 1/2 at taco bell. And that COMPLETELY fills me up!!
8) Will my insurance cover the surgery?
To be completely honest....I HAVE NO IDEA! I was fortunate enough to have my insurance cover it. I was a military dependant, and our insurance was wise enough to see that this surgery will, in the long run, MORE then pay for itself. If asked if your insurance will pay for this surgery, your asking the wrong person, I have no way of knowing the answer to that.
9) Do you know which insurance companies cover the surgery?
Again, no. I am not in the insurance field, and have NO IDEA which companies will / will not cover this surgery...each one is different.
10) How did you get approved for the surgery?
First of all, I educated myself on the www. All the information you need is out there (you just have to find it). Then, I printed out any/all of the information I could find, and took it into my regular Dr. (that way if there was any questions he had to ask, I had the answers IN HAND!). I was, however, fortunate enough to have a Dr. that already knew of the benefits of this surgery, and was MORE then willing to give me the referral!
11) Did Dr. Fobi do your surgery personally?
YES, Dr. Fobi was the surgeon who did my surgery, he and his BRILLIANT team of Dr.'s are my saviors in life!
