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

Being a nurse I had read many articles thru the years on the procedure. First interest was in 1999 but knew the open procedure was not for me. Laproscopic procedure was being discussed and I elected to wait to see if the RNY-lap would be possible later.

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

I had no problem with First Health-was approved with first pre-auth. I did write the insurance company a letter using the personal approach of detailing issues that I had everyday that could not be explained in a letter from my PCP, x-ray or lab reports. Focused on the pain I had suffered from all the co-morbidities that I was suffering from-HTN, Arthritis in several joints, ruptured disc in the lumbar area, neck pain, migraines, plantar faciatis etc..

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

I had previously seen 2 other surgeons but Dr. Houston was the most knowlegeable and interested in helping me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was tired!!! it was evident that I could not loose the weight on my own and I needed the tool to assist me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lap was less invasive

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?

Once I made the decision to have the surgery I had no fears, actually had such a inner peaceful feeling. If potential patients are having such fear than this surgery is not for them.

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?

Everyone was very supportive, I gave everyone as much information that i knew about the surgery and this helped alleviate worries especially for my elderly parents. After the surgery family & friends very helpful.

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

Very supportive-only out of work for 2 weeks

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

The first night was pretty much a blur-second night was horrible-was having migraine and did not see a nurse for 3 hours. Was in the hospital a total of 3 days. Bring good house shoes with a gripping sole. Also plenty of chapstick.

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

Has migraine headache for 3 days-probably from the Morphine PCA pump-was taken off the morphine after the first 24 hours but still had severe ha. Dr. Houston sent me home the evening of the 3rd day thinking the headache would get better if I was at home. Had minimal abdominal pain. Foley Catheter was more painful that the incision sites.

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

Did not have anxiety, was just elated to being approved and getting a date for surgery.

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

First couple of nights home after the surgery I did sleep upright in a recliner-was not comfortable lying down for a few days. Also had extreme head hunger-would stand in front of the kitchen cabinets and just stare at the food-finally realized this was not healty-was experiencing no stomach hunger pains-to get thru this period which probably only lasted a couple of weeks-I just went to bed early-my typical behavior in the past prior to the surgery had been to eat all evening long.

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

3 1/2 hours-was very painful coming home that 3rd day-had to make several stops just to rest from being in the car. All other returns MD appointments have been fine.

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 followed the rules of the diet that I was sent home with. I am 13 months post op. Still cannot tolerate many carbs-no bread, sweets or spicy foods. I still have no appetite-no hunger pains. I do better eating 5 small meals a day-I typically get my protein grams eaten everyday and also have no problem with my liquids. I cannot tolerate milk at all now. Other dairy foods are OK.

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

First couple of weeks I had no energy!! Energy has gradually came back. Have experienced low Iron levels since surgery. Just the past month I have felt like I have a ton of energy. Exercising every day now.

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

2 flintstone chewables everydat, 1200 mg calcium, chewable iron

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?

Substantail hair loss for 6 months-starting to come back in much better, still have nausea if eat something with too many carbs or grams of sugar-read labels more carefully

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

Migraine headache after the surgery

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

Went to one support group meeting at our local hospital but was not very helpful. I have 4 co workers that have been thru this surgery so we talk often.

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

Hardly no scarring-lap

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Only one major plateau-lasted approx 1 month-did not get discouraged-just increased my exercise and water and loosing again

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes in many ways, so many people are quick to tell me that I do not need to loose any more weight-and this comes more often from my over weight friends than from friends that are of a normal weight. Everyone always wants to know how much weight I have lost-how much do you weigh-would they like to be asked the same questions?? I always say I am at goal and thank you for asking. It is very surprising how sales personnel are much more interested in helping you when you are thinner-money drives this type of people instead of customer service and this is a shame!!