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

Al Roker and Carnie Wilson...figured it was way too expensive for me and that only rich people could afford it.

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

Luckily my husband and myself both got our surgeries approved on the first try. We had an excellent surgeon with a bariatric surgery coordinator who knows how to get her ducks in a row before presenting a case to the insurance company. So, my advice is...speak with your insurance company, find out EVERYTHING they need...then make sure you have it ALL before you even consider asking for an approval. Check and then double check to make sure everything is in place. TAKE NOTES of all converstions, write the date, time and name of person you spoke with...even write down the number you called. THis way, if you have to come back at them, you will have as much information about what you have been told, if not more, and they will know you are NOT going to play games!

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

On my first visit, I was pretty nervous. Although I had seen the surgeon at the support group meetings, I had never spoken with him. I was afraid that I was going to be judged...like "ok, lets see who this person is and is she worth saving or not?"...silly, I know, but I felt I was soooooo disgusting that maybe the surgeon wouldn't want to waste his time on me. In actuality, my surgeon was an extremely intelligent, down to earth person who has a genuine interest in helping as many people as he can reach...and get this!!! He is so determined to help people, that he has even helped some patients who could not afford the surgery! He is a very decent human being....unlike some of the doctors who act as though they are "god-like" (lol) he was a very normal, extremely personable individual. How to get the most out of your meeting? Write down any questions you have before hand so you don't forget them (since you might be nervous).

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I felt that if I continued down the path I was going down, there would be just as much risk to my life and health as there was to have this surgery, if not more. I have children....I am young....I want to feel alive again..I want to be able to share the good things in life with my children. I want to teach them things, show them things...and not be sooooooo bogged down by my weight that I am too miserable to do anything with them, I want my children to be proud of me and to know that I will be there for them physically and mentally, I want to dance, I want to sing, I want to not be embarassed, I want to love myself again.......I WANTED TO LIVE AGAIN!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

A review of all the procedures led me to believe that the RNY was the best suited for me.

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 was somewhat afraid of dying and what would become of my children. I was also afraid of the pain....but...I had a lap RNY and the pain was barely anything! As for the dying part, if I hadn't had this surgery, it would have only been a matter of time before I would have such severe health problems, I probably would have died before my time anyways...either that or died of a broken heart.

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?

I didn't tell very many people at first. My husband, of course, knew, he also has had the surgery himself after me (with complications). I told my mom and asked her to come to the support group/ informational meeting with me. At first she was very very afraid and almost against me having the surgery, but after she saw the information and met some of the people who have had the surgery, she was VERY supportive. SHe then told my father who was supportive. Eventually my grandparents were told before my surgery and they were scared for me, but supportive. I wouldn't change anything and everyone has been EXTREMELY supportive after my surgery, of course they would, I had absolutely NO complications, so what do they have to not be supportive of??

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

This is a good one!!! I had just started a job, and before I started I told them I was going to have this surgery. NO problem they said! HA!! I was a medical assistant in a family practice office. I took off Thursday for my surgery, was back in the office the following Tuesday..worked my BUNS off for them, did triple duty for people who were calling in...took 1/2 day off to go to my two week post-op DR appt, Dr. said I was working too much and needed to take the rest of the week off so that I can rest (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). Mind you, most individuals are supposed to take at least six weeks off. Well, my work was soooooo "supportive" they called me the next day and TERMINATED ME!!! THanks for nothing! I am soooo glad I worked my hind end off for them organizing their whole office and taking care of important state business doing the work of several people just so they can fire me. Too bad that they didn't stand behind me as much as I stood behind them for the two months I was there!!!!!

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

My hospital stay was decent. 1st day=surgery, 2cd=BORING (walk, walk, walk), 3rd day=BORING and then finally get to go home on that third day! NO complications. Bring a good book, toiletries, glasses so you can see the TV, a comfortable gown and robe for walking the halls, slippers, oh, and your own underwear, it feels good to have your own panties on, especially if they can lend a little support (not tight, though) to your sore abdominal area (for after the tube is removed). Some say that women should take feminine hygiene products (maxi pads, tampons, etc.) cause the shock to your body may start your menstrual cycle. I didnt' have that problem. You know one thing I took that may seem strange? I took my makeup and hairspray. I was so proud of being able to start my new life that when I left that hospital, I put my makeup on and curled my hair! I walked out of there tall and proud and ready for my new chance in life.

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

Absolutely NONE!

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

TOTALLY EXCITED and anxious! I spent a lot of time cleaning and doing laundry and getting ready for the big day, that is how I burnt off a lot of my anxiety.

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

My life went pretty much back to normal. I worked for a while immediately after my surgery. IT was a very difficult time in one way, because I was fresh out of surgery and on a clear-liquid only diet and at work...well, eating is such a social thing...everyone was eating and bringing treats and people were always catering food to us...it was very trying time...I loved food...it was hard not to be able to eat when everyone else was totally enjoying such fabulous meals! I got over it real quick though. I just focused on my life and what I had the surgery for and remembered that before too long I will be feeling and looking sooo much better!

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

Didnt' have to travel out of 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.

Of course, I was on a clear liquid diet for about 8 days...then moved on to full liquids, then purees and then chopped etc. etc. I have tried a couple of sweets and dumped big time! My dumping is a VERY high pulse that makes me feel like I am going to faint. I CAN NOT eat scrambled eggs or french fries (whether they are baked of fried)...they both make me wretch something fierce. I am still learning to eat meats. I LOVE crackers, and have only tried bread once because it made me full after one bite! It is a learning time. Although, I did start drinking caffiene free diet pop after six weeks, but I can't drink pop and eat at the same time.....OUCH! No room for phizz and food.

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

Normal. I lived life as normal. As a matter of fact, it was probably high because I was working my tail end off. Plus, I have three kids and a husband to take care of.

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

Looney Tunes Sugar free chewable vitamins.

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?

Vomiting has been a small problem for me. Something like scrambled eggs that I would think could be an easy thing for me to eat I can ABSOLUTELY NOT eat.....uuggghhh....also, I have found something weired that my peers who have had this surgery also agree with....LEFT OVERS...I can eat something one night and do JUST Fine, then I try to eat left overs of the same thing the next day and NO WAY! Comes right back up! So, I guess you never know what you can and can't eat. I did seem to lose some hair right after surgery, but that issue has resolved itself. HERE IS SOMETHING WEIRD~ sometimes after I eat I start to feel really sick, and then my eyes start to water, and then my nose starts to run and then my mouth gets all mucousy and then I start to feel mucous creeping up my throat and then I vomit and all I vomit is clear mucous. My doc says that happens sometimes when you aren't getting enough water, but I DRINK A LOT of water, so.....

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

Starting IV's, being hungry before the surgery and not being able to eat after.

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

Tallgrass Surgical has a support group here for anyone and everyone in the area who has had or is researching this surgery. It was very helpful before the surgery and educational. It is since important as a method of emotional and continuing success support. Plus, it has given me the opportunity to make friends with wonderful people who have been at the same point in their lives as I am and have been and also, it gives me the opportunity to help others who are trying to learn about and decide wether to have this surgery or not.

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

I have five little bitty pink lines about 3/4" on my abdominal area. No, they are minisucle.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a time where I didn't lose much weight for about a week and a half, but my associates tell me that this is to be expected even as early as I was at the time, aprx 7 weeks out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My mother inparticularly seems extremely interested in helping me to shed my excess weight. She has been very supportive of this surgery since she informed herself of the process and she bought me a beautiful red dress in a much smaller size, because I have always wanted a red dress (like one she had when she lost her weight naturally). She seems more motivated in developing a closer relationship with me and has given me coupons for and invited me to her jazzercise class where she has been speaking with her instructor about me and seems to have everything set up and ready for me there. ALso, people look at me differently and I have gotten many comments on my looks...BUT!!! I feel different, too. I must admit that I carry myself differently. I wear make up WITH lipstick and I have my hair done and I got myself a nice purse. I am paying more attention to myself also, and that makes a difference in how others percieve me.