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

I had read about this surgery, but was not impressed by information on gastic banding. When I reached a limited to what I could do, I researched more and found RNY surgery and more positive material. I sent for material from Bariatric Treatment Centers. I read it carefully and watched their tapes. About the same time several people hit the news with reports of surgery and how it helped them. I had decided this was what I wanted to do - but was petrified to go to my primary care doctor about surgery. My past doctors had always given me the strong stern song and dance that I should be able to control my weight myself. I was sure I would get the same response. This doctor however was one who struggled with his own weight issues, and I hope he understood. He did, and readily agreed that if this was what I wanted, it could be just the thing to give me success at last.

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

I began with a request to go to a center outside my network. This wouldn't go with my HMO. The refeered me to a group of doctors in three cities close to mine. Once I went to someone in their network, I had no problem with getting approved. I would start with a few questions to my insurance carrier first, listen to their advice and follow their suggestions. They are there to help you - they are not always the enemy. All the people that I talked to in the HMO office were very supportive and helpful.

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

My surgeon sent me material in advance of surgery explaining the surgery which I read in detail along with other material about the surgery itself on the web. I took questions to them, but also learned a lot about post-op stomach size and diet and complications that might arise, so the material was not a shock to me, but the visual aids the nutritionist used - the plastic egg that was the size my new stomach would be was particularily helpful. It really brought home just exactly what I was going to do - but it also made me all the more determined. After the appointment - I did an even more extensive search of the web, printing off a lot of material to use for reference later post-op

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided that I couldn't do it by diet, exercise or anything else - I need other help - and surgery seemed the answer, after they began banning weight loss drugs that had helped me. Seeing others who had the surgery have success and happiness - I knew I wanted that too! More than 20 years of my life fighting my own metabolism and I knew I had always lost.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I didn't - the surgeon decided and I trusted his judgement.

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 fears. All surgery comes with a list of risk, including death, I have had other surgery with no complications, so I felt this one would go well also.

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 family supported me wholeheartedly and so have my friends. They have seen my struggles and my knee pain and see this as a positive step on my part.

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

My employer was supportive, but since I work for the school I will only miss five days of school, conveniently followed by two weeks plus of Christmas break. My boss has never had surgery of any kind, and isn't sure he would ever volunteer for anything, but he is a healthy skinny man! He told me to go for it. Agreed that if I have to eat and drink at school to maintain my health, he wouldn't object. My time off would not require a substitute, just sending students to study hall a few days, so it has created relatively few problems for him.

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

My stay in the hospital was nice and short. I was the last one on the unit on the floor so I ended up in a private room - and a semi private rate. My husband was able to sleep in the room on a cot. I felt pretty good - did not want or use much pain medicine. Got up in the chair and walked the day after surgery. Had a little trouble with all of the food they expected me to eat after surgery. They brought a full tray at every meal, even though we could only eat a very little amount. I unknowingly annoyed the staff - and they were most Peved with me. I was ready to be discharged on Monday evening after the swallow test just to get home to my own house and my own bed so I could rest

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

I had an infection in my incision. Dr. Eagon had warned me that the incision might leak clear yellow or orange fluid - and that was just dissolving fat. When I left the hospital I was to look for redness more and an inch out form the incision on either side. This redness developed on Friday, Christmas Eve. They sent me to my local Emergency room - and and the ER called St. Louis and chatted with the Drs. there about how I was. I got the incision dressed and was sent home with an enormous antibiotic capsule. I had trouble swallowing the capsule and called to see if they could give me something smaller. No one called me back. The incision started leaking tan pussy looking stuff - so they forced me to get back to the capsules. I vomited some back up, but eventually got them down. At the 2 week visit, they opened up the incision where I was leaking and cleaned it out. I felt better, although the cleaning out was a gross experience. My huband now packs the incision and dresses it twice a day.

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 really excited to have a surgery date. In fact, after I got one, I started to look at the food I ate in terms of post-op serving sizes and I began eating less even then. I only lost a few pounds. I worried the week before about getting the cold everyone seemed to have. I was afraid they would cancel surgery and things wouldn't work out as well.

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

I was tired. I was not able to get out as much as I wanted due to an incision infection and a problem leaking. I was uncomfortable going out, and I couldn't exercise due to the problem.

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

I had to travel three hours home upon being dismissed from the hospital. I drank on the way home, but did not eat. Was glad I took pain medication before I left the hospital as I couldn't fill my prescriptions until the next morning. Felt no discomfort being in the car - expected the seatbelt to hurt, but it didn't.

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

I went back to work at 3 weeks and then I exercised at about 4 months as my incision had finally healed.

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

B-12 One a Day multiple vitamin Iron Biotin Sugar-Free Tums

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?

Nausea and vomiting were hard for me - but didn't happen all the time, only when I tried new foods too soon - or ate too fast. Lost some hair, but added Biotin and the problem ended.

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

Unsymapthetic and cruel nursing and medical student staff. Seemed to have it in for me for some reason. Took an instant disliking to me and went out of the way to keep me miserable-giving me fruit juice too soon-causing dumping in the hospital and not doing anything to help when I had severe symptoms and was miserable. They went out of their way to say mean things too me and even had me in tears before I left. My father's with Alzheimer's visited, and I was very uncomfortable for him. A friend's wife died while I was getting ready to leave, and the staff were focused on concocting something to give me for a final meal that would cause dumping before I left. They played other pranks on me as well - and made me most uncomfortable. I could not wait to get out of the hospital to get away from the floor I was on - I left as soon as I could and was in tears on the way home. For trained obesity professionals - I was not impressed or pleased with their cruel, inhuman treatment. I even advised later patients to be most careful around the nursing staff as they could turn on you in a moment.

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

My doctor has a local support group in St. Louis - but it a 3 hour drive there - I went to one session 10 days before surgery. A goup of ladies in Springfield, Il started their own support group - only 1 hour away - and on a weekend day. It is more convenient and so I went there too. Met and found out about it through a lady who contacted me on this web site. It was great!

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

My scar is a very tiny. very small line from my breast bone to my belly button. It looked great, until it began to leak! The wound is healing though and I hope to have it back to normal in about 2 weeks.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had only one platea since I have been home. I have had trouble getting all the food in everyday, but have upped my protein, and try to get in as much as possible of the other things.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am still not comfortable with my new size yet, but I no longer get nasty comments from strangers on the streets when I pass by. It is nice to be ignored rather than harrassed.