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

Initially, I was very apprehensive and reluctant.

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

My primary insurance carrier would not cover the surgery, citing a clause in my employers health plan. I did not try to appeal it. I already knew from contact with the insurer that this was the case and that my secondary plan (my husband's insurer) would cover the surgery at 100%. For me, it was a matter of choosing the path of least resistance for the sake of time.

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

I met with 2 surgeons. One was here in SC and although he initially seemed fine, a day or so later while discussing the topic with another gastric bypass patient, I discovered that he had neglected to mention some things that would be very important to rheumatoid patients (ie. you should never use anti-inflammatories again, etc.). When I contacted his office regarding my concerns, suddenly there was a change in attitude. Suddenly, my insurance company was a problem, they'd have to cancel my surgery date, etc.. Despite my insurance paying at 100%, I'd had to pay these people a fee upfront...which they didn't want to immediately refund. Very frustrating! So...I traveled to MI and had my surgery with a group that had operated on my sister a year before with great success. The Dr was professional, thorough, and covered ALL topics. I highly recommend that people research, research, research and make a list of every little question- and don't leave until you feel they've been adequately answered. Don't hesitate to call back if you have more questions, and most of all...go with your gut feelings on your treatment. The entire picture: Dr, staff, everything...is important in how well you'll do!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I spoke at length with Dr. Wood and we made the decision together. I chose open gastric bypass.

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 believe that had I NOT had the surgery, I was pretty much sure to die in a much shorter time.

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 was very supportive. I had some friends who were apprehensive, but now are strong advocates. Some ASSOCIATES were- and still are- less than supportive. But I put it down to the fact that if they weren't friends before, why would they be now??

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

I was out of work a total of 6 weeks- 2 weeks before because I had to come off all my rheumatoid meds to prepare for surgery and I was miserable. I also travelled to MI from SC and had to have all of the pre-op stuff. 4 weeks were post-op and I was champing at the bit to return prior to that! My employer has been absolutely wonderfully supportive all the way!

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

My hospital stay was fine. I was there a total of 5 days because post-surgery I had some bleeding, which was really elimination of old blood. We think that there was a possible connection between some of the rheumatoid meds and the Lovenox injections. Once the Lovenox was discontinued, it stopped. My potassium level was also low, which is not uncommon for me to have that happen occasionally, but it is dangerous. Consequently, I was kept and observed. The staff and doctors were just wonderful! I recommend people to take a tape player and headphones and some good reading material. I had time when I couldn't sleep and I'd walk and listen to music or read.

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

No, not really. I've been very lucky.

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

Excited, thrilled, ready for it be done and be on my way! I honestly did not have anxiety once I had made up my mind. I was so calm in pre-op holding that all I wanted to do was go back to sleep!

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

I travelled home from MI to SC at seven days post-op. I was tired, but I got out and walked every 2 hours to make sure there were no blood clots developing. I experienced very little pain compared to what I was expecting.

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

As I've stated elsewhere, I travelled from SC to MI. My aftercare is done by doctors here in SC.

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 choose not to eat simple sugars. I choose not to drink carbonated beverages (water is my beverage of choice now). I have no idea if I CAN tolerate these things, and I truly don't have the will to find out. I've had some difficulty with eating some meats. I'm not sure if this will change once I have my gallbladder out. My body has learned to recognize when I'm "full" and help me to re-learn that overeating is not an option for me!

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

I was walking at least a mile before my first week post-op visit with the Dr.. He requires it.

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

Country Life Adult chewable Multi-vitamin daily.

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 have been weekly in the past few weeks (I'm six months out), with the gallbladder being bad. Before that, it was very minimal. The hair loss started at 3 months out and has stabilized now. I increased the protein intake any way I could and that helped tremendously.

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

The wait for surgery.

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

I've been to two different groups and they are wonderful support systems. I've also got a great online support network, and also family members who had surgery so I feel fortunate.

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

It's about 7 inches long and at 6 months it's already fading. No big deal.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I'm losing slower now at 6 months, which is fine. I recently figured out that I'm actually 129 lbs down from my all time highest weight. At 6 months out, I'm weighing 175 lbs at 5'7.5" and wearing a size 12. I feel fine and healthy- and to me, that's most important!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. But I also think a big part of that, is how I carry myself and treat myself differently! It's not all THEM, sometimes it's US too.