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

Being in the medical field I learned about bariatric surgery when it first became popular back in the 80's but felt it was only for the Hollywood Barbie Doll types.

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

I have been fortunate. When I had my RNY in 2001 I had BCBS as I do now. I was led to believe that approval was rare and so I wrote a letter to the Insurance Company and was approved the first time. This time I am assured that I will be approved based on medical necessity and my surgeon being in a BCBS Excellence Award Center.

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

With my first surgeon it lasted about 30 minutes. This time Dr. Lord was with me for an hour and a half. He reviewed my previous op report and asked me many questions. What I thought of my first surgeon, how I felt abandoned when he moved out of state shortly after I had my surgery and sent no letter of referral to another MD. Dr. Lord asked me about my eating habits and stressed pre-op education, interaction with his multidisciplinary team, participation in post-op support groups (named Obesityhelp.Com) and follow up for a minimum of five years post op.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I did not know that revisions were possible until a friend of mine went to Dr. Lord for a revision of her lapband. Then my research began. What I learned was the failure was not wholly mine, the surgery failed me also. After the General information seminar I was sold. If I was approved by Dr. Lord, because of my age, and my insurance covered it I was going for it.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I did not make the decision Dr. Lord made the decision to do the revision to my 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 have a strong faith and while I am not religious I involved with a 12 Step Program based on spirituality. I have confidence in my surgeon and the hospital so I really have no fears, just gratitude for a second chance at a healthy life.

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 husband was at my side all during the first surgery. He has never made a negative comment about my weight and is over joyed that I am moving forward with his support again. My friends are also supportive and excited for me and my neighbor just found out today and is going to see if she can have the surgery too.

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

The first surgery I only told my Administrator that I was having gallbladder surgery. I was back at work in 2 wks.

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

I was very nauseated after my first surgery and I also had an RN friend that kept pushing my PCA and kept me pretty sedated. The hardest part was the gastric swallow because I was already nauseated and vomiting. To me the most important thing to bring are pillows for support on the ride home. I was in the hospital 4 days.

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

Horrible nausea, I am not so sure it wasn't to the narcotic. It was gone by the time I was awake enough to stop the PCA.

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

Again I had no anxiety was very much at peace. I feel the same about my current date of March 3rd, 2009.

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

The first few weeks I was sore, had some nausea, but didn't have any other side effects. I did tire quickly but soon regained my energy.

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

The distance between my home and the first and current hospital is about the same, about 2 hours. I only had one post-op visit before my surgeon left town, no other aftercare. Again I carried pillows because I needed the support.Dr. Lord requires a minimum of a 5 year follow commitment.

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.

Didn't have any restrictions w/first wt loss surgery, as tolerated through trial and error.

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

As tolerated and increase slowly. This time I have already been educated to exercise a minimum of 30 min 5x/wk.

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

Since first surgery, just Calcium this past year. Now I am on Flintstones multivit 2x/day, Ca Citrate 4x/day, Iron & Vit C 3x/day, and 2-3 protein shakes and this is pre-op.

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?

Dumping was and still is, eight years out the worst. Up until I recommitted to a new way of life I ate whatever I wanted and didn't cope with them at all, just suffered the effect of my poor choice.

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

The things that I remember the most was the ride home from the hospital on roads under construction, the first night home, overtired and in pain and dumping following surgery. I guess it is like giving birth, if you remembered very much you wouldn't do it again.

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

After my first RNY I didn't have a support group. I do have this website, which has grown so much in the past 8 years. My surgeon also has a support group that meets once a month 2 hrs away. I will talk w/the Program Manager and see if we can start one closer to home.

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

5 tiny scars, along w/stretch marks they are insignificant.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Approximately 4-6 mo after surgery I was able to eat pretty much whatever I wanted and so rather than plateau's I began my regain.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Originally people noticed my wt loss and of course have grown quite since my regain.