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

My friend and walking partner Bridget who is also a nurse told me about it. We applied for the surgery together and dreamed of sharing a room! She has since had the surgery 6 months ago, I on the other hand am trapped in insurance denials.( Update-Had surgery 3-24-03)

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

I was denied numberous times, I finally appealed to my husband's employer to let her know what I was going threw. They switced insurance Jan. 1st, 2003 and I started all over again! Had my surgery the end of March. I would say NEVER EVER give up.

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

Write everything down you want to say, make sure you get ALL your questions answered. Beware of a doctor who doesn't tell you about the other side of this, what can go wrong, Do alot of research- magazines, internet, ask friends, support groups, knowledge is power!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was so tired from my apnea that I could not enjoy my life. I would go to work, come home and butt sit on the couch until I got up to go to bed. Apnea- inconjuction with my rising weight was killing me. I was just lucky to have the team at Dr. Ottoman's in Fort Collins so close!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did alot of research, after my first denial I was SO depressed I gobbled up all the information I could find to try to "talk myself out" of wanting the surgery, RNY kept coming up as the safest, and best procedure- I knew it was for me, the more I leared the more I wanted it.

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 didn't really think about it all that much, I've always been a fairly healthy fat girl ( which actually worked against getting the surgery approved), but it did cross my mind. I spoke to my husband the night before, telling him what I would like to happen IF something happened, it was hard to do, we both cried, but I never believed I would die or have complications, but who does? Life's a crap shoot.

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?

This is my first update in months! 9-2-04. I have gone from 345lbs to 159 lbs, from a size 28 to a 10, has life changed? Yes- but to me it seems like a life time ago, it has really been a year and 1/2. It's all about you, you make it work or not, you are happy or not- you are still you, it really doesn't matter what anyone else says, if they support you or not- some people are happy for you, some jugde and comment just like when you were fat.You have to work the program, excerise, and eat right.Support yourself!

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

I went under my husband's insurance so I didn't have to go thru that THANK GOD! I own my own business and see alot of people everyday, some know, so don't. I was out of work for about 10 days, REALLY I swear that is true! I'm not good with free time! and frankly I have an easy job physically!

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

I went to the Surgery Center in Fort Collins and just can't say enough about how great I was treated there! Wow! The staff is really on the ball, friendly, and know what they are doing, bring something lose and easy to get in & out of to wearhome! Lip balm, good shampoo, and a positive attitude- Oh AND get up as soon as they will let you and walk!

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

Okay, in the hospital I had a reaction to the meds from surgery about 24hrs after and got the bed spins and threw up. That was the worst I've felt. I ate asparagst (spelling?) to soon and threw up that, that was about 7 days out. I thought if I overcooked it & mashed it real good... well no, so dont try that! I think it's really important you get to know you new plumbing as FAST as possible!! Eat slow- stop eatting as soon as you feel full! I havent had any complications to speak of! Knock on wood!

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 worked alot, I beaded , I visited friends and tried really hard not to think about it, I was so afraid that I would go to the hospital & they would tell me I was denied again!

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

I slept on the couch the first couple days, hardly ate anything at all, but gradually I got better. I was climbing the walls but day 5 and went to work, sat in the back and bagged & priced but quickly went to zero..so I went home. With my husband saying "told you so " all the way! It was a challenge to get my proteins, still is sometimes.

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

I was SO SO lucky to have Dr. Ottoman's office 10 miles away, Dr. Pettine was and is very very concerned with aftercare, it's really made the differance for me!

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 kept a food diary as requested by my doc which really helped out, for 3 days I had nothing but carnation instant breakfast W/O sugar, broth, creamed chicken, jello w/o sugar, mush and mash, mush and mash for the first month. My first problem food was asparagst! But I can have it now. I don't eat anything with more than 10 grams of fat, or any type of sugar listed in the top 3 ingrediants. Beef is very slow to disgest. If you don't eat- OUCH like yesterday morning I had my carnation instant breakfast, went to work, helped customers had class , afterwwards I reliezed I hadnt EATTEN all day & it was 3:30- hunger pains are PAINFUL- it feels like your stomach is being shreaded, so don't do that! Normally I eat small meals every 3 hours or so which works well for me!

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

I started walking at about a month and a half, I started walking daily as far as I could, now I walk to work everyday & home which is 2 miles a day and I'm going to join an excerise group every other day.

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

This is SO SO important, everyday I start out with 2 Flintstones chewables, I also do 3 Viactive Calcum chews a day, I have a B-12 injection once a month, and recently started taking zinc because of hair loss. I drink 60 to 80 oz. of water a day.If you have a problem with vitamins or supplements this surgery is not for you!

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?

Hair loss recently started, at about 3 months, it's a worry BIG TIME.. so I stared taking zinc and got balmsa shampoo, hopely that will curb it! Vomiting hasn't been as big issue , if your dumping chances are you are eatting something you arent suppose to... OR something is wrong!

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

This is a hard question... getting to know your new system- everything is so different. Knowing that your the only one who really understands what you are going thru.

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

I went to the support groups BEFORE, I havent after, I'm not a big sit in a circle and talk about me person! I have a good circle of friends and I like me okay! The aftercare at my doctor's is great, I read my blue book everyday it seems! I'm thankful.

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

I have 5 very small red marks on my belly.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

In the beginning I weighted myself everyday and would get SO upset because I would always want it to be more! I don't have a scle at home so the last time I was weighted was at my 3 month checkup the end of June. The docotr said that that was okay for now but as I get closer to my goal weight I need to keep a scale so I know if I'm creeping back up. Don't worry about plateaus- the only way your going to know if your having one is if your on the scale everyday! I dont like to beat myself up!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No- as a matter of fact people go out of their way to NOT notice I'm losing weight- it's so weird it's like a death in the family....nobody knows what to say!