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

Had a RNY done in 2001, and I am still super morbidly obese. I don't feel much different than I did pre-op. I'm seeking a revision because I feel that I had the wrong surgery for my size and circumstances in the first place.

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

First time around was fairly painless. I used to work for an insurance company, the main thing you want to do is to download a copy of their medical policy bulletins in regards to bariatric surgery and make sure that ALL of the documentation they require to approve is sent with the initial request. It is much easier to have it approved the first time around than it is to appeal. If you appeal and are denied, go for a second level appeal. Insurance companies are more likely to approve at that point, in order to not have to absorb the cost of the manpower required to fight it.

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

With Dr. Choban, I felt as if she was straightforward and answered all of my questions. However, I do think that she gave me unrealistic expectations of what results I could expect with a proximal RNY.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Couldn't stand life at 500 lbs. anymore.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I went with what insurance would approve at the time, as at that point I could not afford to self-pay. Now that I am in a position to self-pay, I am getting what I need rather than just settling for a temporary solution.

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?

At 502 lbs on the day of surgery, I knew that there was a good chance I wouldn't survive the anesthesia. But it was worth the risk to me.

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

I was in the hospital for 3 days. My hospital stay sucked. One particular male nurse there was very verbally abusive to me, making fun of me when I was having trouble walking due to my size, and he refused to help me in the bathroom. I cried a lot, because there's nothing worse than someone kicking you while you're down and in a vulnerable state. Just bring yourself - you'll be too wiped out to want to do anything else except sleep and walk.

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

No complications immediately, although I did have a very difficult intubation and they ended up intubating me while I was awake which was horrible. 6 years out, I have a pretty sizeable incisional hernia.

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

A bit trepidatious, but excited at the same time. I coped with anxiety by eating. I must've had 30 "last meals". I ended up gaining 20 pounds before surgery.

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

I obsessed over food I couldn't eat. Watched Food Network and drooled. Got tired of liquids and purees very quickly. Pain was gone by day 5 for me.

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

I had surgery in the same general metro area where I live. For my revision, I'm going all the way to Brazil. It should be an interesting contrast.

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.

Initially, I had to do a week of clear liquids, 2 weeks of liquids, 2 weeks of purees, 1 week of soft foods, and then back to regular food. At first, I couldn't tolerate pork for some strange reason. I would dump on orange juice. But those limitations went away quickly, and by 3 months out, I could eat far more than I should have been able to. At 6 years out, I have no limitations in what foods I can eat, except that I've seemed to develop lactose intolerance. No dumping, and my capacity either equals or exceeds that of a pre-op. I've regained some weight as a result.

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

Lots and lots of walking.

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

Multivitamin + Iron, Calcium Citrate, B12 shots

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?

No real side effects to speak of.

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

When I tried to address the problems I was having with capacity (being able to eat more than I should) with my bariatric surgeon at around 6 months post op, she told me to "eat less an exercise more" and refused to consider a physical issue. Turns out it is a physical issue, and if I could have found a surgeon to take my concerns seriously, I would not have regained 65 of the 165 lbs. I lost because the problem would have been addressed much sooner.

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

I used to go to the Barix support meetings, but there was a lot of pressure there to not talk about any problems you were having and pretend like the surgery was the best thing since sliced bread. Instead of offering support, people picked at you and judged you. I stopped going. There's the same sort of problems on the OSSG lists. Once again, that's why I stopped posting.

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

It's faded a lot, but still visible. About what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Stopped losing at 9 months out, and gradually regained 65 lbs. over the last 6 years, at a rate of about 10 lbs. a year.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes - when you are a failed post-op, people make a lot of judgements about what you did wrong to get there and your "lack of compliancy". The fact of the matter is that when there is a physical breakdown of the surgery, it comes down to diet and exercise. If diet and exercise in and of itself were effective, why have surgery in the first place?