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

Television. I had seen advertisements before, but in November, 1998 I tuned in to a late night Rosanne show where she had her surgeon and a whole audience of patients of his and was totally blown away by the way it had changed the lives of these people. I got on the internet and started researching it and found a wonderful doctor who put his patients on line and began the process of learning everything I could about the procedure and starting the process of getting approved for it.

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

I tried for 15 months, including appeals, and filing a grievance with the state insurance commissioner who did an investigation and found that the insurance company was on firm ground in denying me as it had written an unbreakable exception for WLS surgery. Further, in the state of Texas small business (under 50 employees) cannot get the same coverage that larger companies get. There are state mandates that companies must follow for small businesses, and they seldom add any extras. I tried for 6 months through our insurance agent (we own the business) to find one that would cover it, and this is what I learned. I gave up and went self pay.

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

Since I was an out-of-state patient, my contacts had been over the phone and by e-mail. My first personal visit was right before the surgery. I had a list made out of things I wanted to ask him. He took time to answer all question. Since his educational requirements and contacts requirements were so high, I did not have many questions. He requires all of his patients to attend his weekly meetings where former patients and soon-to-be patients meet with him and talk to him and with each other, watch a movie of an actual surgery, etc. There were about 50 people at my meeting which lasted for about 4 hours. It was very informative. Then he met with each one of us individually who were scheduled for surgery.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Learning more about it and being able to talk to so many people who had already had it. That, plus the fact that my health was deteriorating and I just could not get on a diet and stick with it. I was desperate.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Least invasive. Talked to over 100 of my surgeon's patients. Lowest rate of death of any in country! Fewer complications.

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?

Of course, any surgery has the chance of death. I studied all the information and decided that an early death due to complications of morbid obesity was greater than the risk of the surgery. As of 2003 Dr. Rutledge has done app. 1800 surgeries and had only 1 death. Pretty good odds I think!

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?

Supportive

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

N/A

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 24 hours. I had a conference with the anesthesiologist in the hospital. Everyone I met or talked with, or who cared for me were very caring, concerned and professional. It was a good hospital experience. My greatest fear was extreme nausea as I had had it several times with other surgeries, and they controlled that completely.

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

None!!! Did wonderfully well.

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 anxious. I dealt with it by prayer and talking to others, expecially patients who had already had the surgery, and staying on the e-mail list for my doctor's patients. Also, by staying extremely busy and exercising more to get in better shape for the surgery.

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

My energy was very low for a while, and not normal for 2-3 months, but after that a big upsurge in energy!

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

1500 miles. My PCP has done all of my aftercare. We send all info on to Dr. Rutledge.

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.

Week 1: Very diluted liquids. Week 2: Liquids Weeks4-6: Gradual introduction of things like mashed potatoes, green beans, soups, etc. After that, gradual introduction of other foods: bland at first. Nothing fried. Very little meat. In three years the only things that ever gave me much of a problem was rice, and I almost threw it up a couple of times. I ate very small quantities, added foods very gradually, and chewed really, really well. At three years I eat anything I want.

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

After week one, back to regular activities, including water aerobics. That is the beauty of lap surgery!

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

3 WalMart multivitamins with iron, flaxseed oil, omega three oil, calcuim, potassium, evening primrose oil, magnesium, and other supplements at different times; glucosomine, condroitin, MSM, lysine, protein supplements

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?

Lack of energy right at first and hair thinning temporarily. My experience was totally positive in every way.

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

Insurance would not pay for it!!!!!!

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

His patients have three e-mail lists to use: MGB in general, MGB techinical, and PostOp. I am active on all the lists sharing info with other pre and post ops. It is extremely helpful. Also, Dr. Rutledge answers e-mail questions. I have had to contact him one time about changing meds for my migraines.

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

5 tiny littly porthole scars, less than a inch long.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, the more I lose, the more I am treated positively I am sorry to report. Those who have known me for years are still complimenting me and happy for me.