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

I first knew of the early procedures in 1980 and underwent a stomach stapling. The procedure was a failure as the physician inadvertently stapled my stomach completely closed. I have been researching the new RNY procedures and they seem wonderful and I truly hope to have the surgery. I have been attending support group meetings and personally know folks who have had the newer RNY proceedure and are doing fantastic. I just want the chance to be able to control my weight.

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

It was a nightmare. My insurance denied my consultation to the surgeon and the surgery in the same letter. I appealed to preserve my rights and just presented my situation to the insurance company and let them know I was 1. not going away, 2. would insist upon a face-to-face review and finally 3. requested outside peer review. My main advice-don't back down! After an insurance ordered "30 day trial of small meals", I was approved for surgery.

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

My meeting with Dr. Flanagan lasted 3 1/2 hours. It was awesome, he explained the history, procedures, and afterlife of weight loss surgery to the nth degree! I had already done plenty of research on my own (thank you INTERNET)and was certainly able to keep pace with his techno medico explanations! My advice to get the most-research on your own!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health. And a couple of folks I knew had open rny and their lives had changed dramatically. I also started attending support group meetings sponsored by my surgeon and I have all the confidence in the world in his abilities.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I let Dr. Flanagan decide between the two proceedures that he performs: the distal open rny or the proximal open rny.

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 will answer after the surgery, but I am petrified of dying, but have made peace with that, if its my time, so be it. Complications, I am concerned of getting a staph infection because a friend of mine got one, but she had a different surgeon. Update/February 5, 2001. I had complications with my surgery and ended up having surgery on my lung. I was in the hospital for 6 weeks and needless to say was horrified. I guess you roll the dice and take your chances with any surgery.

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 estatic, except my husband isn't too sure, but will go along with whatever I decide. My sister, an RN, is not liking it, but has come around. My friend are very supportive, except the ones that are worrying I am going to die. Oh well.

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

My supervisors were very receptive and supportive. They immediately got me information on being off of work with the FMLA packet. I was very honest and open and explained my health issues. I have planned on being off a month, but am playing it by ear. Update-February 5, 2001. I was off of work for 3 months. I had short term disability and that saved our family. Work has been terrific, allowing me to work partial days until I returned to full time duty.

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

My hospital and the staff were excellent, I cannot say enough wonderful things about them. I was in for 6 weeks because of severe life-threatening complications. A comb, chapstick, something to keep your hair pulled back.

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

Within days of my wls, my lung filled with fluid and I had a chest tube and drain placed. Then, I developed fungal empyema and underwent surgery to my left lung, which included removing and end of one of my ribs. What could I do? I layed there for 6 weeks and endured some horrible medical tortures and prayed that I would live and go home.

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 felt terrible, but not from my wls surgery. My recovery from the lung surgery has been slow and painful. I have been told by my friends and family that I am depressed. I may contact my Employees Services which provides free counseling.

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

It is not fair for me to comment on this. Mainly, because I was not home the first few weeks!

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

about 85 miles one way. My surgeon has several support groups around the state, with one being 20 miles from my home town.

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.

Soft foods, cottage cheese, soft sandwich cheese, scrambled egg, tuna salad, chicken salad. I could not eat any sugar, fruit, beef was/is hard, no bread, rice or pasta. At almost 3 months, I can TRY to eat whatever I can, but in small amounts and sometimes some foods just come back up.

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

My energy level, on a scale 1-10, is about a 4, but not due to my wls surgery, but due to my lung problems.

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

None, but don't tell my surgeon. Update/February 5, 2001. I am taking B-12 and a multivitamin 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?

I am still experiencing dumping, nausia and vomiting, sleep disturbance and pain.

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

My complications and the tube into my intestine.

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

My surgeon has several groups around my state. I have yet to attend one as a post-op. I have just returned to work only 4 hours per day at almost 3 months post op.

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

My scar is from navel to between breasts. It is actually better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None, yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, eye contact with strangers is evident.