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

I am an RN for 15 years....had heard of surgery on the internet a few years ago.When we finally got our own computer...I found that a surgeon at Jefferson University Hospital in Phila.,PA did the bypass surgery.I was excited about the RNY and scared at the same time...it involves lifestyle changes for everyone I am associated with...it is an adjustment for everybody....I couldn't wait to pick a date...

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

I have AETNA US Healthcare of PA/NJ...as a case manager for medicare and insurance...I really expected a battle getting approval.I was approved in less than four minutes on the phone per my docs office manager. Stand up for yourself with the insurance co....speaking as a case manager....alot of these case managers at the insurance end don't even know what is going on.I called two days before my approval and was told that under no circumstances would it be covered even with co-morbidities. ....I am now post-op...hehehehe....

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

My Dr....Dr.Colberg (DR>C) was great...you wait long in his office but it is worth it...no patients are forced out after so many minutes...if you need 20 or 100 yu will get his time.I made a list of questions and tooke them along.I also took my husband...a support person...two sets of ears hear more than one....

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

It was my last chance at life...my chances of dying soon from the co-morbidities and other complicaions far outweighed the odds of me dying from surgery or its complications.I have an 8 and a 10 yr old who need their mom....I had to do this first of all for me but second of all for them...I need to raise them..I was also tired of being tired...I feel energized even after a week.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I have a surgeon friend here in ALLentown PA who does VBG...he helped me decide that open RNY was the way to go since I have about 200 lbs to lose. I would have preferred him to do my surgery but appreciated his honesty inpointing me in th eright direction.

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 am Catholic...I pray alot...prayer and faith have been my stamina all along...like I told my parents...forget the lighting of a candle in church...just do a bonfire in the parking lot !!!! I had fears of dying...also had periods of euphoria about the new me...I felt like I was on an emotions rollercoaster daily for the 6 weeks pre-op.That has settled now as I continue to pray for strength to move forward.I also picked a support person other than my husband....my sister...it lessened his emotional load as well since he needed to be here for kids while I was in hospital.

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 kids, hubbie, and one close friend were the only ones I told until about 3 weeks pre-op.I did not want to be sabotaged or talked out of it.I felt that it was a very personal and private decision.I wasn't going to tell my parents who are 75 yo aand 80 yo until the day before....but I was having a down day pre-op and needed to talk to my mom.I did not tell the balance of friends and family until after surgery.I have no regrets of doing it that way.Everyone seems supportive...I have one sister who feels I made a mistake....but too bad.

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

I had surgery 7/30/99 and I am still out of work.I plan on returning 8/16 2-3 days a week for half days.I told my boss I was having gallbladder surgery....I will tell her eventually at the appropriate time.

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 5 days...in ICU for 3...only because I have a history of blood clots to my lungs (pulmonary emboli)...out of bed walking in ICU the first post op day. I brought a radio, slippers and my own toiletries...I wore their gowns...much easier..I also brought spring water to drink...better tasting and essentially sterile.

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

No complications.Did very well.

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 got my surgery approval 6/16/99 and had surgery 7/30/99...I had the range of emotions...anxiety,anger,depressed,scared,elated,happy,grieving...I am a Catholic..I prayed alot for the strength to go through with this.I picked a support person from the start...not my husband..but my sister...I confided all my emotions in her...she was my support.She was also the person who went with me to the hospital the day of surgery.

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

I did well.I felt MUCH better when I kept moving. I started walking the first day home...a block at a time and gradually increased the distance daily. I slept in my own bed from day one.I had pain but took liquid percocet only the first 10 days home and of that the last 4 only took pain meds at night. I ate about every 2 hrs...2 oz of something..only pureed for 5 weeks. I went back to work as an RN case Manager at two weeks post-op only 4 hrs a day.I could've used more time home but in the long run I am glad I went back when I did...It kept me moving.

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

My aftercare has not been affected. I live 65 miles from Philadelphia, PA...Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. The drive to a university setting for this major surgery was worth it.I follow up as scheduled with my surgeon and dietician.

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 am almost 6 week post-op. I have just started adding soft foods. It is very interesting...one day I can tolerate a certain food...the next day it makes me sick or nauseated. It is a day to day thing. I make a shake daily that consists of 2 scoops of Naturade soy protein powder...23 grams of protein...8 0z skim milk...9 grams of protein..and 2 tbsp sugar free Nestles Quick to add flavor.32 grams of pro.Sometimes I throw in 1/2 cup Kemps frozen fat free sugar free yogurt to add even 7 more grams of protein. I spread this throughout the day taking 2-3 oz at a time. It is a good protein blaster !

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

My activity level and tolerance increased on a daily basis. I walked daily...I have registered for water aerobics to start later this month (9/99). I have no back pain after losing close to 50 lbs already in 5 weeks...I feel very positive.

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

2- Onesource kids chewable vitamins from WalMArt (same contents as Flinstones Complete) and 2 chewable Caltrate, calcium supplement

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?

Nausea and vomiting varies day to day. I find that if I try and eat faster especially at work at lunch...I get nauseated and may vomit.I only take soft things to work like yogurt, soups, jello,string cheese to help this.

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

The pre-op eval period...waiting...the anxiety until approved. I hated going for the battery of pre-op tests but as an RN I understood why.

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

I am a member of support group about an hour from here.Another WLS person and Iare wqorking on starting our own group with hopes of rotating the meeting site around our area within a 2 hr drive to accomodate alot of people. I am also following up with regular dietician visits to make sure I am on the right track. These visits with the dietician are very impt. to me.

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

My scar is about 9 inches long, very narrow and now light pink at 5 weeks. It is what I expected. I thought I might have trouble healing but I didn't..I was diabetic pre-op.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

None as of yet...and I am now 5 months post-op.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes...unfortunately I do. It is amazing how different people act even after I lost only close to 50 lbs so far at 5 weeks post-op. I try and tell myself that despite the weight loss..I am still the same person...I am someone's daughter,mother,wife,sister,aunt...I am no different on the inside.