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

I had heard of WLS for years but never thought I would want it, it seemed too drastic and dangerous. I worked with about 5 people that had had it and as the years went on I asked more and more questions about it. Several people that I work with have had their surgery at least 10 years ago and are still keeping their weight off. That is what impressed me. I also watched 2 people that had it done and have gained most of their weight back, but I also looked at what they eat. Cokes at every meal and candy bars at break and snacks in between snacks! No wonder they can't keep their weight off. I hope and pray that I don't become one of the latter.

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

I was fairly lucky to not have a lot of trouble getting approved. I had so many comorbidities, that I guess they said it would be cheaper in the long run for them not to have to keep paying for all my prescription medications. I was taking 11 meds. So I will have to say that so far I have been happy with the way that my insurance company has handled the whole process. But they have not completely settled the bills yet, so check back and I will let you know how I feel about them by then.

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

My first meeting with my surgeon in a one on one was pretty good. I got most all of my questions asked. I suggest you write down any questions and concerns and have them ready because it is easy to get off track and not get some of your questions answered. I would also suggest you make sure your surgeon has a very structured aftercare program, with nutritionists, counselors, psychologists, physical therapists, and etc. This makes the healing process and your mental well being much easier to deal with knowing you have these professionals there for you if you need them.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I finally decided to have the surgery because I had exhausted all other avenues of losing weight. I had tried all the diets and exercise plans and they all worked to some extent, but I always gained all the weight back and then some. So I was always in a much worse state after the diets than before. I just got fed up and my health was what finally helped me make up my mind to go for it. My PCP told me my diabetes was not in good control and that she was going to have to put me on insulin. That was the deciding factor. I made up my mind and did not look back.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon and I decided together. With my diabetes and age and everything else considered. We decided on a Laparascopic Roux en Y Gastric Bypass. I think we both made the best decision 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?

Well of course I had fears, doubts, anxiety. When you put your life in the hands of other people there is always room for error. I have a very strong faith in God and I just got my affairs in order. Wrote a will, prayed and turned it all over to God. He will see you through. I figured I would die soon enough if I did nothing. If I died because of the surgery, then I would be in a better place anyway. So I figured I couldn't lose either way! Any thing in life worth doing has risks. Don't let fear hold you back from your dreams, do what is right for you. You deserve the right to a full life without all the weight.

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 am kind of a private person. I didn't tell everyone of my friends and family. I told my parents and 3 close friends. Most of them said I didn't need the surgery and it was too drastic. After 29 days away from work I went back and most all of them were amazed to see me. They most all thought I was having gallbladder surgery, which I did have removed at the same time as WLS. Geez, I am glad that thing is gone it has bugged me for years! Most everyone is happy for me. Of course there are always going to be ones that want to have negative things to say about you behind your back, but that is just life. You can't make everyone happy so just try to be a little selfish and do this for you!

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

My direct supervisor was supportive of me having my surgery, but I was never totally clear to him about what kind of surgery I was having. He knew about the gallbladder but not about the WLS. When I came back he was glad to see me and also said I looked so much better. I was out of work for 29 days, the first 2 days back I felt kind of weak and shaky due to lack of inactivity. I had lost 45 pounds in 29 days and that was very noticible. By the third day back I started to feel so much better.

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

This was the worst part of the whole ordeal. I felt pretty much on my own, or maybe I just expected too much. When the nurses changed shifts they would come in introduce themselves and I would not see them again. The room was dirty, hot, small, some of the staff were very rude. The male attendants that took care of my personal hygeine were the best, they helped me get cleaned up, gave me a bath, and encouraged me to get up.

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

The one complication I did have with my surgery is that I spiked a very high fever nearly 105 the next day. My surgeon was so concerned that he was worried that something was wrong with the surgery that he had me taken to OR and went in again with a laparoscope to look at the surgery and make sure everything was as it should be. Everything was ok, and it was just my body reacting to the surgery. But anyway I had a double whammy of the anasthesia and trauma to my body of being reopened. I was in the hospital for 5 days. I can tell you I was truly ready to get out of there.

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 really didn't think about it too much. I was ready. I am a very spiritual person and I figured that if it was my turn to go then I would wake up in a much better place anyway. If I survived it I would have a new lease on this life here on Earth. I always turn things that I can't control the outcome of over into God's hands he always knows what to do with me as he is the one responsible for me being here.

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

Well in my case I was glad to be at home where you can be yourself. I was in some pain for a few days. I had plenty of narcotic pain medication, but I do not like the feeling it gave me. I poured it out and started taking Advil and that worked well until my stomach kind of burned so I switched to Tylenol that I had to crush. I was weak at times. I tried to do as much walking as I could sometimes I felt like it sometimes I didn't. Every day does get better and at first I thought to myself, "What in the hell have you done to yourself?" This is a common reaction I am told. I was a little depressed because of all the medications, anesthesia, trauma to my body, it is a lot for anyone to go through. But, you can make it. Be determined, stay strong, talk to others that have had the surgery. If you have any serious problems don't hesitate to call the doctor, after all he just made 25 or 30 thousand dollars off you, right? Drink your water, get you protein in, take your vitamins and calcium, and walk and move. Try to stay positive and remember that the way you are feeling is only temporary.

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

I was very lucky. My surgeon is right here in the town that I live in. It is easy for me to attend to my aftercare needs since his office is so close. I chose Dr. Merriman because of his excellent reputation. He is out of network on my insurance plan and I might have to pay more in the long run, but I felt that it would be worth it.

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

My surgeon, Dr. George Merriman, has a very good support team. He has nutritionists, physical therapists, psychologists, once a month support meetings of pre and post surgical patients. We talk about problems, how to deal with things, food choices. I feel this is very important to me. They know a lot more and have heard it all. They have the experience. Plus you can talk to other patients that are going through the same things you are and get their feedback on how they are dealing with problems.

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

My scars are about 5 or 6 small less that one inch incisions. I joke about it, I say it looks like I was in a knife fight. Seriously though, they are healing really nice and I feel in time will be hardly noticeable.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have no plateaus yes but is too early for that.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes lots of people are asking me what am I doing to lose so much weight. Some people seem glad for me and some people seem jealous.