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

I can only remember having read something about it somewhere, about 5-7 years ago, and thinking boy I would love to do this. I was terrified of the surgery but knew for me it would be a lifesaver.

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

I think that I was someone who had a relatively easy time with the insurance company, it took about 2-3 months from start to finish. I cannot say they were ecstatic about giving the okay, but I have read nitemare accounts of people waiting years only to be denied, approved, denied at the last minute so I think I had a relatively good experience.

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

My surgeon was informative and helpful. I think you need to know what you want to ask him, be specific, write the questions down if you need to. I asked him pointed questions...have you had any people die during surgery...what is the worst that can happen...how do I avoid having problems after surgery? How much weight do you believe I personally will lose? WIll I have flabby skin hanging off my arms..will I have a big old stomach hanging to my knees. Some questions he can answer by looking at you, some questions are a wait and see thing, I think if you drink your water and exercise you aid with the whole skin problem.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

To me, it was not wanting to live my life as a single person forever. I had recently become "unengaged" and while I am not desparate to meet someone, I am a chatty, outgoing, "people person"...and I enjoy the company of the opposite sex. I also believe that while single moms are direct descendents of angels, God did intend for children to be brought up in two parent homes, and My daughter deserves a dad that actually lives under the same roof that we do.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I honestly did not decide, it was kind of an insurance thing, or maybe the surgeon does only that kind, in any event I think it is the surgery that is most often performed.I had an 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 think everyone will have the same fears...as the time grew nearer I prayed that I was not just being vain and that I would not die on the table in an attempt to "get married" or make myself beautiful. I know that I have a great personality, but that was not enough for me, I wanted to be attractive and healthy too. I think everyone will wonder as the days get closer, am I doing the right thing, should I do this. But when you have struggled for 10-15 years with trying to lose weight you have to know the alternatives are not much better. I also get seeing this commercial for aspirin which said that 2 out of 3 women die from thier first heart attack. I was approaching that horrible number (40) years of age and wanted very much to be able to be around for my daughter when she graduated high school, college, got married and eventually became President of the United States, or Surgeon or Teacher or Mommy or whatever life had in store for her.

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?

Family and friends were very supportive they knew of my life long struggle and while they were apprehensive about the fact that it was going to take surgery to solve the problem they were helpful and supportive. They have been supportive now that it is a month from surgery.

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

My immmediate supervisor was supportive. I simply told her the truth that it was medically necessary and I would need some time off. I was out of work for almost a month, about 3 weeks and 2 days. It was a slow time at work so they did not need a temp to replace me or anything. My supervisor has a family member that is struggling with weight and I think that is what helped in her perspective.

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

Stay in the hospital was okay. You are in alot of pain, it is hard to sleep, and I had some nut cases in the room with me (Screaming for pain medication etc) but all in all it was okay. I was there a week. I would say to bring a book and notepaper and nail polish (all the things I brought, what a dope) but I had no use for any of these things. I simply read the bible for 5 minutes if i could then usually would go to sleep (at nite) during the day, I watched the Olmpics. There is no one thing to bring, but perhaps flip/flops, your tooth brush, and if you have long hair bring pony tail holders because you cannot get up and take a shower for a while 2-3 days I think. Also lip balm because your lips get chapped and ladies bring sanitary napkins because I had read that some women get thier period even though it is not "that time of the month" and sure enough that is what happened to me, and I had not brought along the necessary supplies. Of course the hospital provides it, but I rather bring my own stuff

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

I had severe pain the day I went home but the pain was due to my own stupidity. They gave me a prescription to have filled, before I left. I did not get the prescription filled, figuring (since I already had a good dose of pain medication in me at the time) that I would get it filled at my local Eckerds when I got home. I live in Longwood which is 2.5 hours from the hospital in Gainesville and could not get my prescriptions filled anywhere. I needed liquid painkiller and effervescent Tagament or something like that and they did not have either.They were willing to order it for me, but I was in severe pain and did not want to wait the week. I tried 5 pharmacies and 2 hospital pharmacies before my doctor called in something else, but it was a very painful 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 thrilled to finally be moving ahead with what I percieve to be the rest of my life. I was anxious but I talked to friends, made out a will(sounds morbid but I wanted peace of mind) prayed and just figured "Se la vie"

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

Day one AWFUL, no pain medicine Day two, better but still tired, lazy and painful Day three, pudding and jello starting to get on my nerves Day four, pain subsiding, but very depressed and cranky Day five, getting more back to normal, but still slow moving, depressed and tired.

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

Two hour drive it really doesnt affect my aftercare except I cannot join any Weight loss support groups because I am not driving over two hours to chat once a week. I do it all on line

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.

It has only been a month for me, and I dont dare try anything that is not listed in my book as being acceptable. I eat peanut butter for protein on a graham cracker for breakfast, cottage cheese and fruit for a snack, sugar free/fat free yogurt for lunch, soup for lunch, Ensure protein drink (Low calorie) for snack and blenderized chicken, potatoes and peas or something similar for dinner. Nothing after 6 pm and am TRYING to drink the water required but am having a hard time. I have not had solid foods, steak, orange juice, popcorn, bread etc. yet

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

1st week did not do a blessed thing. 2nd week, did not do a blessed thing. 3rd week, walked to the mailbox, did some light food shopping, drove daughter to school 4th week, moderate walking, drive all over, do regular household chores but use caution with lifting.

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

2 Store brand childrens vitamins a day. 2 Tums a day, although I dont think I need them. 1 Pepcid AC Definately dont need it, never have indegestion.

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?

Okay so maybe I am really blessed or maybe it is too early to tell but I have some nausea every now and then but it is not horrible. I only NEARLY vomited 2x, I have slept reasonably well, I am not sure I even know what dumping is because it has only happened twice and I had to lie down for 10-15 minutes and so far my hair is still full and relatively shiny etc.

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

Having the nasal tube removed. It was not so bad when it was in there but I thought there were 5 miles of it when they proceeded to take it out. I would think the tube could be a bit smaller in diameter becuase on the way out it feels like a watermelon and it made my nose bleed and scab. Rather uncomfortable

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

I go to the internet and read the website hosted by "A Doctor in Your HOuse" I believe Carnie Wilson is responsbile for that one. It is informative and people have great tips regarding where to buy vitamins or supplements and how they handled some of the problems that come up, but sometimes I want to shoot myself because there is alot of complaining and problems with insurance and aside from the fact that it does not interest me, they go into too much minute detail: Then the secretary put me on hold, then the secretary lost me, then she said to fill out the paper in triplicate! I usually just scroll through those posts..

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

It is much longer than I expected, it goes from between my breasts through my belly button and about an inch further. It is at least a foot long, so I guess I will not be wearing a bikini after all. Although I had a gall bladder scar that was 8 inches and horizontal on my stomach so now it looks like like a big "X", but they seem to think I can have a tummy tuck and the skin can be removed. The gallbladder scar is very fat, and the Open RNY scar is very very thin in comparison.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

First platueau was at 3 weeks, it was a week since I lost any more, but now it is slowly coming off again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, it is too early.