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

Had initially heard about it years ago in a magazine article. Did research at the time but decided it seemed too drastic and scary. Was not yet suffering from many medical problems so decided against it. In 2001 I read about Carnie Wilson's surgery, and then a few weeks later a local news broadcast did a profile of my surgeon and one of his patients. It seemed like a sign that I just happened to see that report at the same time I read about Carnie and that the surgeon was in my medical network. So I decided to pursue it by researching for a few months and discovered it had become much safer and less invasive. I knew I had to do something drastic or I was going to die young. It seemed a better idea to have a non-emergency surgery that I had some control over than to end up having emergency surgery later for something life-threatening.

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

This was a frustration for me because if I had pursued this sooner, I could have been covered. My employer had purchased policies for all their insurances with written exclusions. I was told "too many people want this surgery, it is not in our best interest to pay for it". I had reams of data to prove it would end up costing them less to pay now instead of later, but they were unresponsive. I now understand many of the insurance companies are also going with this opinion, as well as worrying about the possible associated liabilities. But they are no worse than with any other surgery, so I really don't understand that attitude. I think there needs to be a mental shift to obesity being a real disease, like alcoholism, before this will change. I also think the drug companies want to be able to keep trying to sell us on a "magic pill" and so don't want people to find out there is a better way. The have got to have an influence in this.... My advice is to find out before you ever see the surgeon whether your insurance will pay, and not just your insurance company in general, but your specific policy. My insurer does cover the procedure as a company rule, but my employers specific policy excludes it.

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

First meeting in general was a seminar which he required you to attend before making an appointment. VERY informative and honest. Great manner, not at all your typical surgeon type. Never saw so many obese people in one place before! Could not then get an appointment for 4 months, very disappointing. But I used that time to do intensive research. First in person visit went very well. I had come with a list of questions and he anwered them all. Did not rush me. Did a short physical exam and said he thought I would do well. He likes patients who are informed and educated about the surgery. My advice is to do your research ahead of time and come armed with all your questions up front. If you don't get a good feeling, get the brush off, feel rushed, or he won't explain things, find someone else. Know what to expect before you do it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Physically, I was getting much worse. Mentally I was also getting worse, could not participate in life anymore. Everything was just too hard. The diabetes scared me because I did not want to lose my eye sight or mobility. Knew that nothing but this drastic measure would work for me at this point.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Research, which convinced me this one would give me the best results, most weight loss, with the fewest complications and chances for problems.

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?

Since I was a self-pay, I must say my biggest fear about complications was the cost. Silly, but true. I can honestly say I had no fear about dying because I figured to go on the table or shortly afterwards would be alot easier than a heart attack. And I had really nothing to lose at that point, and no one else who depended on me. My bigger fear was of pain, but I knew my threshold had always been high, so hoped that would continue. I had never had surgery, so I tried to educate myself on that as much as possible, so I would not worry too much. I was actually quite calm throughout the whole process. I had a fatalistic view that this was meant to be. Maybe naive, but there you are. I DO think that becaue I wasn't nervous, I was as educated about the process as I could be, and went in with a good attitude, I experienced very little pain and no fear.

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 coworkers were very supportive and continue to be. I only told my sister and cousin about the surgery up front. My sister was with me for the surgery and a week after. She continues to be my biggest supporter. I didn't tell the rest of my family until several weeks after the surgery. I knew my parents would worry and not want me to do it. I wasn't sure how everyone else would react. After the fact, my father was very angry that I had "kept it a secret". My mother was supportive. My aunts, uncles, etc were more supportive than I could have hoped for and continue to be. Since most of my family is overweight, I think they can all relate. They are all now very supportive and happy for me, so far no negative reactions. I don't think I would have done it any differently.

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

My supervisor and director were both extremely supportive. They were both very upset about the insurance problems. I missed 6 weeks of work, which was not a problem.

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

To be honest, much of it is a blur. I had to ask my sister about alot of it. I used my morphine pump alot! I do not normally take alot of pain killers, so it affected me heavily. They finally reduced the dosages and that was better. I was there 3 and a half days. The worst was getting up for that first walk. Each time after that was a little better. I had brought books, a fan, magazines, etc. with me and I used none of them. I was too doped to even watch TV. Most of the nursing staff was good, but a few were not very empathetic. I was in ICU for 3 days because they had no rooms available. When the moved me to my room it was in the middle of the night. The room was right next to the nurses station, so very noisey. I was ready to leave! The most important thing to bring, is someone to be your advocate!!

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

Developed Thrush and a genital skin yeast infection from the antibiotics. No other complications.

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

It is all I thought about, I became obsessed. I did not contribute anything at work. I really had no anxiety, just excitement.

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

I was extremely fatigued. Very little pain, lucky for me. Just very tired. Mostly slept and drank my liquids. No real desire for food and no hunger.

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

About 40 miles from where I live and work. Normal travel for big city. No problems with getting to aftercare.

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.

Was on clear liquids for two weeks, then one week of all liquids. Three weeks or pureed foods, then to all solids. Could not tolerate some bulky meats at first, became stuck. Probably because of not chewing long enough. No other problems except some vomiting from over eating. By 3 months I could judge how much I could hold and how much I had to chew before swallowing. Can eat most anything now as long as I do those two things. Tried sugar free ice cream, but still dumped. Milk seems to bother me, but not cheese. Carb cravings did not return until about 5 months out. At 6 months I am starting to eat a bit more and am experiencing hunger for the first time since surgery.

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

Very low until I went on solid food at 6 weeks. Then it turned around quickly.

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

Multi-vitamin for gastric bypass patients, B12, protein drinks and bars.

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?

The hair loss was the worst and that was not bad. I had already started to thin due to menopause. Loss increased from about 2 months out, now at 6 months has stopped. No nausea or sleep problems. Dumping only on milk products, sweet fruit. Vomiting was due to over eating and was controlled once I learned how to judge amounts better.

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

The yeast infections and fatigue right after surgery. Giving up eating large meals (mentally). Adjusting my life to not be about eating anymore.

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

My surgeon's group is at a time I can not attend, so on line support is it for me. I am not a "group" person, so I don't find this to be a problem.

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

It is longer than I expected and no one will tell me why. It was raised at first but is now flattening out and ligtening up. It doesn't really bother me.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Hit my first one at 4 1/2 months, lasted for 6 weeks. That was depressing, but it motiviated me to start working out, and now I have started losing again. Probably a good wake up call.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Strangers are friendly now, look me in the eye and speak, etc. People I know well are the same as always, people I know slightly are friendlier and complimentary. Store clerks are the one I notice the most, I am no longer invisible.