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

I am a registered nurse and have read extensively about the different WLS options. But it wasn't until one of my physicians sugg ested it to me that I thought it might be something to look in to. I was unsure if I would medically be able to have the surgery but was told that my condition was well enough to do it by my doctors. I

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

I initially called the number on my insurance card and talked with customer service rep to find out if my plan covered WLS. I was told only if it was of a medical neccesity.I had discussed this with my PCP and she wrote a letter to Dr. Valin's office lisiting the medical reasons for surgery. The insurance sompany then told me after they received the info from the Doctor and if I was qualified the Doctor and myself would receive a wrritten letter of approval. That is what I will be waiting for.

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

I haven't had my meeting yet but I am making a list of questions that are important to me to discuss at the visit.Examples: appropriate surgery type for me, what type of anesthesia will be used, use of pain medications after surgery. Since I know I have a gallstone I want to know if my gallbladder can be removed and also if my umbilical hernia can be repaired also, or should I wait for that.Also I want an idea of post op restrictions and activities.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have thought about the surgery for awhile but it wasn't until one of my physicians suggested it to me that I started to look into it more seriously. I had been unsure if I would qualify. They felt that along with my debilitating degenerating joint disease which has had me on disability since Oct. 2001, my hypertension, elevated cholesterol, history of diabetes along with a history of sarcoidosis, and kidney problems, add to that my morbid obesity and depression( like who wouldn't be) I could benefit greatly from this surgery to assist me in losing a great amount of excess weight that I have been unable to do on my own.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on the Roux-n-y procedure after attending WLS seminar and my appointments with Debbie Valin NP in Dr. Valin's office and Diana the registered dietician and Chris the psycologist. I need to maximize the amount of weight I can lose by using this tool to limit the amount of food in can ingest while limiting some of the absorption of the food that I take in.

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 fears of serious complications or death, but I have investigated my surgeon and the hospital along with the surgical procedure and am confident of my choice that I have chosen an experienced surgeon. Also the hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven has only 1 patient mortality in over 1000 weight loss surgery procedures.

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 and friends were intially uncertain of my choice, but have become more supportive with all the information that I have been giving them. I feel they are confident in my decision because I have done alot of research, and they know how much I want to feel better and be a healthier person.

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

N/A

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

I Had my surgery on a Wendesday and was home on Saturday. I found that having just the basic necessities was sufficient for me because when I wasn't up walking I was napping or sipping my required fluids and I had no time for much else. My stay in the hospital went well, I received good care from the staff, I fortunately was able to do attend to my own self care needs and didn't need much help.

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

I did not have any 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?

I was tired, but excited about seeing the weight come off. The only anxiety I had was with starting and trying foods as my diet progressed. If I had questions or was anxious I would go to OH and read the message board or post a question.

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

People need to be understanding and try not to make comments about the amount you are eating, example. Are you sure you can eat that? or You are not eating enough.

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

I traveled 25 miles. It is an easy commute for me and does not affect my 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.

I was surprised at how different my taste and desire for some foods changed after my surgery. Things that tasted good before, I disliked intensely for about3-4 months. example protien drinks, only after about 4 months did I start to enjoy them. I have not had any problem with meat, just chicken. For some unknown reason it continues to make me sick. At four months out I can eat about 2 oz or so of protien along with about a couple of TBLS of veg, sometimes 1 or 2 T of potato. I have small amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables without any problem.

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

I was walking and performing household chores as soon as I was home. I gradually was able to increase my acticity level as I lost more weight. After 2 months I was able to shop without using a motorized cart. I also started using a tredmil.

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

a daily multivitamin, an iron pill, calcium, and vitamian B12.

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?

So far I have not dumped, or had hair loss. I sleep fine. The most severe side effect that I encountered was from not chewing food enough and getting pressure and pain in pouch and occasionally needing to vomit. ALso if I drank when I ate, which you are told not to do I felt nauseaous. I had one severe reaction to a food that caused me hours of spasmodic GI pains like "labor" along with constant vomiting. I spoke with my surgeon and was told if need be to come to the ER if it lasted much longer. I waited a while longer and things began to settle down and the vomiting stopped. So I did not go to the ER. But I will never have the food that I ate that day again.

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

The worst part of the entire process for me was the waiting. From the day I decided to look into the surgery and decided to have it ,took about 16 months. I was fortunate that my insurance company gave me no problems. I did have issues with the first surgeon I worked with and needed to change doctors and hospitals which put off my surgery even longer. But after finally having the surgery, I have no regrets and would do it all again.

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

My surgeon has seen me at one week post op, two months, 4 months. I have an appointment for my 6 month visit set up and expect to have a 9 mth and 12 month visit and then probabaly yearly. My doctor has support group meetings for postops and others who might be thinking about surgery. I have been attending these as often as I can. They meet monthly. I find the group helpful and educational and enjoy attending.

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

I have several small scars from my laproscopic procedure. They are even less than I expected, and are starting to fade.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

About 4 months post op I began to have periodic plateaus where I might go 3 or 4 weeks before seeing a drop in the scale, then I would see a drop.