Weight Loss Survey Responses

The following are John N.'s responses to the Weight Loss Survey:

Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.

The best way to describe my battle is you are on a roller coaster and no matter how much you want to get off, you never can. I have struggled with weight loss my entire life. I actually started life fairly normal 7 lbs 13 oz and 22 inches long. But 78 pounds when I started Kindergarden and it just kept going up from there. When discussing weight loss with people I usually mention that I have lost over a TON ... the same pounds over and over again. I have always had people say to me, that my only trouble was that "You just need more willpower!" The amount of willpower that I have had over the years could have moved mountains ... but did not have enough effect on my eating habits and weight management. For a period of time, I had actually stopped trying to loss weight and you know, this was a good time period .. I maintained a realtive constant weight instead of the large losses and then in a short time regaining it all back and then some. This new journey will be a great new experience that I am waiting to see unfold before my eyes.

What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?

The reaction and treatment from other people. Also a close second is the inferior thoughts you hold about yourself. I have always been a real confident positive person. I feel this confidence and positive attitude comes naturally with me and is an important part of my character. However, there are times I wonder if some of it is a result of trying to compensate because of my excess weight.

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

I first heard about Bariatric Surgery when I was attending Bible College in Minneapolis in 1978. Then it was the stomach stapling proceedure. The Medical Clinic in Minneapolis next to my Bible College were starting to do tne surgery and I made an appointment to learn more about the surgery. I wanted to go forward with the surgery, but when I discussed it with my parents, they were not supportative at all about the surgery. So I moved on and did not go any further with my desire to have the surgery. Over the past 5 or 6 years, I have been approached by many people who have had surgery and have lost weight and they wanted to let me know about their weight loss journey. I have always appreciated their taking the time to approach me, a stranger to them, and let me know what their results have been. Even though they had experienced large losses of weight, I did not seriously consider it for myself. For some reason it was kind of a fairy tale for me to think it would work for me. Two years ago, while attending a Conference for an Association I am a member, I had an opportunity to spend a few hours with a friend who just lost close to 160 pounds in the past year and half with Bariatric Surgery. I knew Wayne from earlier Conferences but we did not really known each other. However, I could tell that he was looking real good and had lost lots of weight since the last time I saw him. During this conversation he shared many personal events and his experience with his surgery and post-op recovery. I had an opportunity to ask him many personal questions about his experience due to questions I wanted to ask those other people who had approached me several years earlier. Maybe it was the fact that I knew Wayne that I felt comfortable to ask the personal questions where I did not with the other people. I am grateful that Wayne took time to answer my questions because it was after our conversation I started to become serious in my search for information on Bariatric surgery. One thing I am also grateful for are all of those earlier people who approached me with genuine care and compassion and discussed their experience with weight loss surgery. Because they had lost 100 to 200 pounds, I could relate to them. In the past I have had discussions with other people who were successful with various Diets who would make comments, "I know how it feels to be over weight." Granted they may have lost 30 to 60 pounds and have kept if off for many years, they have no idea what is like to live in the skin of a person who is 100 pounds, 200 pounds or more overweight.

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

This has been an interesting process. Because of my disability with Morbid Obesity, Diabetic Neuropathy and degenerative process to my feet and ankles due to the weight, I have been disabled since 1997. As a result I have Medicare and Medicaid insurance. Two years ago, when I made the decission to have Gastric Bypass Surgery, I statred doing research and found a center and obtained the paperwork to start the process. I went through all of their steps to provide the necessary documentation for them to get the insurance approvals. For close to two years, they would give me the run around when I would call and ask what the status of my insurance approval was. They would have one excuse why they have not gotten the approval yet. A few months would go by and I would call them back up and would have a different reason why they did not get the approval and would keep incouraging me to check back with them later. About 5 or 6 months ago, I finally asked them point blank, "Is the reason why you have not gotten my insurance approval yet, is because I have Medicare and Medicaid Insurance and you don't accept their reimbursements for services?" They said, No .. but you know if I were you .. I would not put all of my eggs in one basket .. I try to look at several different surgeon groups to see who could get the insurance approval the fastest for you. I heard them loud and clear .... "You are absolutely correct!" Well I began my search again to find another surgeon or group that would do the surgey and accepted Medicare and Medicaid Insurance. I am glad that I found another Surgeon and it turns out I am glad I found this new group because I think their surgerical proceedure is far superior to the other center I had been considering. The best thing to do, is to ask questions and document everything for the Insurance Company. During the time I was waiting on the first center, I continued to do research on the web at ObesityHelp.com and another site gastricbypassfamily.com and at both sites found great examples of Letters of Medical Necessity for your Primary Care Physician to write to the Insurance Companies to document your need for surgery and they also had good examples of letters you request for you as the patient should write to the Insurance Company.

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

The first thing that I found to be real helpful was the prior research that I did way before I ever had my first consultation. I have spent hundreds of hours on the internet reading anything and everything I could on Bariatric Surgery, Weight Loss Surgery and Gastric Bypass Surgery. With this research, I had a good understanding of the risks involved and the realtive successes of the different proceedures. I also attended a public seminar that my surgeon group conducts in the local area. I live 500 miles from the Detroit Michigan area where my Surgeon and his practice is located. I also travel thoughout the state of Michigan for my prison ministry and meetings. I discovered that while the CORI centers were holding informational meetings about their Surgery at various locations each month. While on a trip for business I drove a couple hours to one of their Seminars and learned a few additional items of information about their proceedure. This also allowed me an opportunity to meet some of the Office Staff which I viewed as helpful. By putting a face with a name really helps when you are speaking on the phone during this process. My surgeon was the staff Doctor who was conducting the Informational Seminar on the night that I attended. Even though I was also familiar with the other two Surgeon from reviewing their website, I decided to have this Surgeon for my surgery. Over a month later, I completed all of the preliminary paperwork required by this Center and then was schueduled to see the Surgeon. They hold a group orentation with new patients where he goes over the surgery and the risks (but this time was even more specific than at the public informational meeting) and then explained the process of the surgery and what the post op period would be like. Everyone in this group setting was given an opportunity to ask questions. Prior to going to this consultation, I prepared a list of questions that I still had, even after all of the research I had done. I had the list out and was checking off my questions as others in the group would have the same question. Then the Doctor meet with each of us individually and reviewed our medical records and answered any questions I had and then we talked about setting a date for surgery. I left this consultation with all of my questions answered. The best way to make sure you do this is to make that list. I am sure that if I did not have the list, I may have forgotten some of the questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My decision to have this surgey was set in my heart long before I had the consultation with the surgeon. I was tired of all of the previous attempts at weight loss and regaining all of the weight back again. I was also getting more concerned about some of the health problems that were getting more serious in my life. I decided that I did not want to Die, I did not want to loose a leg of foot to Diabetis, I did not watch life go by from the stands .. I wanted to be a participant again.

How did you decide which procedure to have?

I have mentioned earlier that I did lots of research and examined all of the different types of surgeries and proceedures. I wanted to choose a proceedure that would have the most and lasting benefit. I was not interested in having other surgeries years later to redo the surgery if the pouch stretched over the years. So that is why I choose the MicroPouch performed by the CORI surgeons. From all of the research I felt this was the best proceedure for me.

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 was aware that the biggest complication from any kind of major surgery was death. I also knew that blood clots traveling from your legs to your lungs was also a serious complication that could result in death. There are no guarantees in Life. The biggest thing that helped me have peace with my decision to have this surgery was my personal Faith in God. I know that He is in control of each of our lives. I know that He would be with me through this whole journey. He would be there guiding my surgeons and his staff while they were preforming the surgery and during my aftercare. Because I TRUST God with my whole Life. I had complete peace with the decision. I was also ready to see my God face to face if that was His plan for me. I am also ready to stay here on earth because I do not sense that God is finished with me and He has more work for me to do here. Saying all this, my surgery date is still just ahead of me. I will get back here,"God Willing" to post how I did putting My Trust in Him. God walked with me and held me close to His side through this whole process. I slept real good the night before my surgery. Morning came real early since I had to be in the presurgery area by 5 AM on the morning of my surgery. There was a great wave of Peace within me that morning as I walked toward the Operating Room Holding area where I undressed and got into the hospital gown and sat up on the gurney and realxed for nearly 2 hours before my surgery. I visited with my family, my angel Jenny and one other patient who was also having her surgery that mornign. By the time my surgeon came into the room to let me know that they would be getting me in a little while I was still relaxed. The last thing I remember was having the Epidural Pain Block in my back and then told to relax for a while before they bring me into the Operating Room and give me some oxygen and then put me under. I do not remember being brought into the Operating Room at all. I woke up in the Recovery Room and within an hour was moved upstairs to the Bariatric Ward on the 9th floor. I did not have any pain from the surgery and felt very good ... I know that it was God answering my prayers ... and also the prayers of so many of my family and friends. I continue to feel great and pain free and am enjoying my journey on the losing side.

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?

They have all been extremely supportative. I have been real open with them. They have all witnessed my weight losses and weight gains over the years. They have also witnessed many of the health problems I have encountered over the years. They have encouraged me and are praying for me. How is that for support! I have also been blessed by many people informing me how my life and support towards them over these years has been a blessing in their lives. This is such a humbling experience. I have always tried to treat everyone I meet with love and respect and to know they have felt that coming from me is so special. I have some friends who have informed me that they will be coming many miles to visit me while I am in the hospital after my surgery because they are greatful for my tenderness, care and compassion towards them over the years. WOW ... Thank you God for using us to share Your Love with other people .. and they with Us.

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

I founded and direct the prison ministry that I serve. In one aspect, I am my own supervisor .. but in reality I work for God. I know that He has been supportative of me and this decision to have the surgery. I am also grateful to God that He has always been in Control of my life and was even there when I was getting the run around from the first surgeon group. He was waiting to direct me to the surgeon and surgeon group I have now elected to perform my surgery. Without a doubt, I know that this is what God wants for me ....

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

The entire staff at Harper Hospital in Detroit made my stay so enjoyable. Everyone was so caring, compassionate and dedicated in serving Bariatric Patients I felt at ease the whole time in the Hospital. There were also responsive to any requests I made, whether more ice chips, popsicle, or nausea medication. I am aware of other people who did not seem to feel the staff was great .. but if you have a good attitude and respect for the staff, they will treat us with a great deal of respect and good care. I had the blessing to go back to the ward a number of times for the week and a half post op to visit other new surgery patients and each time the staff was so glad to see me and see how good I was doing ... they really do care about us patients. They also realize that sometimes patients are not in the best moods after our surgery and do their best to respond to us with care and compassion. My best recommendation for other considering the WLS is to go in with a good attitude and have your family and friends praying for you. If we have a good attitude and have a good prayer covering ... we will do just fine.

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

When I was discharged from the hospital, I still had more drainage coming from my JP Drain so I went home with my JP Drain still intact. The care of the drain was not hard to do. One morning I woke up with a long string clot inside my drainage bulb that caused me a little concern. I called my surgeon's nurse and she assured me that this was normal. I also felt my drainage tube slide out about 1/4 to 1/2 inch but there is a suture string keeping the tube from sliding out further ... If these conditions would have been mentioned on the JP Drain Care Sheet that I was given, then I would known that these were ok ... The Drain was taken out at my Post Op check up 11 days following surgery. I also had half of my staples removed and will remove the remainder at home.

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

Right now I have been out of the Hospital for 10 days. I live 500 miles or 10 + hours from Detroit where I had my surgery. Harper Hospital has a Guest Housing for family and patients to stay and I am so glad I remained there following my surgery until after my 11 day Post Op check up with my surgeon. The 2 block drive from the front of the hospital to the front of Guest Housing on my discharge from the hospital was not very comfortable, even holding a pillow across my chest to support my incision line. I know I would have been miserable if I were to head straight home following surgery. About 6 days post surgery, my brother, mom and I went for a ride in my van for a few hours and I was glad when we got back to the room after about 4 or 5 hours away from the room. This was my first ride since my discharge. As I stated earlier, getting some good rest before you try to push yourself before you have more healing under you belt. When I finally did head back home the next day after my post op check up, the ride was pleasant and enjoyable.

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

I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan 500 miles and 10 + hours away from Detroit where I had my surgery and where my surgeon is located. My primary care physician will assist me with a great majority of my aftercare. Normally patients are to schedule a visit with our Surgeon one month Post Op but my surgeon said that he just wants me to call him for my one month check up and talk with him and let him know how things are going ... instead of making a special trip down for this visit. He is very accomodating.