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

I first found out about Bariatric Surgery from my Primary Care provider. I specifically had chosen her because she was a Bariatric Specialist. I was thrilled and I wonder now why she didn't suggest this a long time ago.

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

I really didn't have to do anything to gain insurance approval. I found a portion of my insurance policy that stated "no weight loss surgery would be covered unless it was medically necessary." I took that policy in to the surgeon's office on my intial visit. His office manager copied it and between the surgeons office and my PCP's office, they did everything! All I had to do was wait. It took three weeks (aprox) to gain approval. I did stay in touch (called) several times a week with my insurance carrier, just to let them know that I was still there and I wasn't going away until I received an answer.

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

My first visit was short -- I was seeing a general surgeon, not a WLS specialist. At the first visit he was still in the decision making stage of using this procedure as WLS. He had done the procedure hundreds of times for other reasons (Cancer, Ulcers, etc.) but not for WLS. So we waited another three months while he did some work with a WLS clinic. It wasn't until my second visit that I ws able to really sit down and talk to him. When I did, I took a list a questions that I found online. He truthfully, and thoroughly answered every one of the questioned that I posed. My advise to every potential patient is to be well prepared. Find a list of questions, read over them and add your own. Have a comprehensive list so that you can be prepared. This is your life you are talking about. If you don't care enough to be overly thorough about it, who will?

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My heart rate, blood pressure, insulin count, end-stage arthritis in my hip, snoring so badly that my husband slept in another bed. The fact that I knew if I didn't do something drastic soon I wouldn't live to see any more of life. I didn't want to die young or fat.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I looked at the rate of success that each type of surgery had. The Open RNY was also suggested by my PCP because it is a approved method of permanent weight loss, in most cases. I didn't want to ever do this more than once.

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 really didn't have a lot of fear. I'm not an overly religious person, but I do believe that worry never acomplishes anything. I was well researched, I felt very comfortable with the medical staff I had chosen, I had friends working in the hospital I was using and most important I chose to tell everyone -- friends and family -- what I was going to do. The support that I had was unbelievable. I knew that I would need the caring concern of friends and family. They all came through for me with flying colors!

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 Friends and family have been totally supportive. I wrote them all (e-mail) and told them about the decision that I made. I gave them website addresses so that they could look things up and become more familiar with the procedure. It was wonderful. I would never do this any different. I knew that I wasn't going to fail and I wanted them to know what was going on in my life. Even now, a month after surgery my family and friends call or write at least once a week to check in with me. We are closer now than we have been in a long time.

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

I had just accepted a new job in January of 1999, when i told my supervisor in October of 1999 that I was going to have surgery in November she was completely supportive. I work for a international performing rights organization, and my office is in my home. So I really had no problems taking the time off work that I needed. Iused my accumulated sick time then I went on two weeks of partial medical disability. I was off work for 5 weeks, but could have gone back sooner had I needed to.

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 for only four days. I was very lucky to have a close friend who is a nurse there with me immediately after surgery. I was taken to the room and not assessed by the nurse on duty. My NGtude ws not connected to the suction and no one checked anything except my tempurature. My friend stayed with me and made the on-duty staff finish assessing me (as they were supposed to in the first place)and then she checked me over too. She came back in every mornning before she reported to her floor to check on me also. The nursing staff after the initial assesment diaster was wonderful. They responded immediately to every request and did so cheerfully. I also made it a point to thank these hard working staff members and treat them with the repect that I wanted to recieve. I was grateful that I had my own soft comfy pillows. Nothing else I brought from home (books, etc.) was used.

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

I had no complications at all.

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 was elated -- I am not a worrier so I just went ahead with my life as normal. I did stay online a lot with the support groups I had joined ([email protected] & [email protected])the knowledge and support that I received rom them helped to answer any and all questions that I had.

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

I felt pretty good the first week out of the hospital and by the second week home I wanted to go out. I think that I overdid it. I was still on liquids and extremely soft foods at this point because I could tolerate anything else. I got fussed at by so many family memebers and friends that it made me realize that if I didn't give my body time to heal properly that I might defeat the whole purpose of having this procedure in the first place. I didn't want to tear internal staples or anything. So for the next three week I just rested and let my family wait on me. I now feel healed and well-rested. I will return to work after five weeks. Don't expect a miracle from your body. This is major surgery. Be good to yourself and give yourself time to heal completely!!!

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

I had my procedure done in my hometown.

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.

I dumped my first day home on fruit juice -- UGH, I thought I was "dying." I called the doctor, thought that he would have to readmit me, then just felt stupid when I realized what I had done. So, be careful about comsuming fruit juice. I stayed on liquids for two full weeks, I tried milk and that made me suffer terribly. So I left milk alone until I was three-four weeks out and then only ever use skim. Food tastes different now -- I can't explain it but it does. I used to love soft-boiled eggs, now I can't even abide the smell of them. My advise is to take it easy, eat and drink slowly! You body will let you know when it is full and what it can tolerate. Now at five weeks, I still use my mini-food processor to grind my meats and I add sauces and/or juice to especially dry meat like chicken or tuna.

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

I gain energy weekly. As I heal I have taken it very easy!! The exercise I do is upper body strength training, sitting in a chair with one pound weight. I do two types of leg lifts, both sitting in a chair (See book; Strong Women Live Healthy Lives.) I walk too. I atarted out at one week going to the mailbox at the end of the driveway, then the next week to the corner, the next week half way around the block and back... just increase it as you feel stronger.

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

I started aking Selenium the day that my approval came through and I still am taking one a day. I also take a multi-vitamin (regular adult size broken in half) I tried the children's chewables and I couldn't stand the taste so I found an adult one that was scored so breaking it in half was easy. I use No Sugar Added-Carnation Instant Breakfast as a protien supplement.

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?

At this point dumping has been the worst for me, but in the procedure's defence -- it has been my own studidity and lack of investigation that has caused the dumping. I've eaten something I shouldn't have, or not checked the ingredients of some foods I've consumed. I haven't lost any hair yet, but if or rather when I do I know that it will upseet me. I have very long hair that is thick but fine. So I know that loosing my "crowning glory" will effect me. I am attempting to keep well nourished so that i can minimize my loss.

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

Dumping -- it's like having the worst case of the flu that you've ever experienced for about 45 minutes. Cold sweats, cramps, sometimes vomitting, diarreha, achiness, the works!

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

Right now -- I have friends who had surgery prior to mine and my on-line support groups. They are both extremely important to me. I need to know that i am not alone in this.

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

At five weeks out my scar is about 10-11 inches long, it streches from just below my sternum, to 1/2 an inch above my belly button. It is completly closed but still red and slightly raised. The staple marks make it look like a railroad track. This is pretty much what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

N/A at this time

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People comment that I look like the air has been let out of my balloon. My face at this point is the most changed. I am still a newbie at this point in the game.