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

Part of the reason I put off having the surgery is because I never in a million years thought my insurance would cover it. They had an exclusion clause in the policy, and while it had a little leeway in it, I just automatically thought it would take years to get it approved, as I was not too impressed with the insurance to begin with. A friend of mine that I had told the surgery about decided to have the surgery herself and afterwards she told me that she had spoke to her surgeon's office about me and they had said that lots of insurance companies have exclusion clauses and that most of the time they can get the surgery approved. So I decided to give it a try. My surgeon's office submitted all the initial information to my insurance company and were told it would take 2 weeks to go through medical review. After almost 3 weeks I called my surgeon's office and they said they had not heard anything, but they were going to fax papers again. I asked what I could do and they told me to start calling and asking questions myself. Well, that was all I needed. I called that entire week and into the next, so after 4 weeks I called my insurance and was told by someone that was supposed to specifically handle these cases that she had no idea who I was and had nothing on my case!! I was so upset, I called my surgeon's office and the lady said "Well, we will take care of that, because I have names and dates right here in front of me, just give me her name and number." Well, I have no idea what she told them, but we had approval and a surgery date that very same day! So, my advice is...don't just automatically assume that because your insurance has an exclusion clause that they will not approve the surgery for you. It is definitly worth a try, and I also think the surgeon's office has a lot to do with it also. If you have a Dr. that is willing to fight for you, I think it makes all the difference.

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

My surgeon is very different. I guess it is because he is located in an area where people have to drive a long distance to get to him, so most of the initial consultation takes place over the phone, or the Internet with his assistants. After he looks over all your information, he then decides if you are a candidate for this type of surgery and you are notified. You do not meet him face to face until a couple of days prior to the surgery. He then spends that whole afternoon with you...approximately 5-6 hours telling you about the different procedures, possible complications, and answering questions. He even provides you with a meal while you are there! After the consultation, then you and he will decide which procedure is right for you and then you will have your pre-ops the next day. Everyone I have met that has had him as their surgeon says he is the most wonderful man, and his whole office is GREAT to work with.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I went on 2 different diets and could not lose weight! In the past I could lose 10 pounds easy in the first week on a diet. This time the most I lost was 17 pounds in 3 months, and while my PCP seemed to think it was acceptable, I thought it was awful, especially considering how hard I was working at it. So after my friend had the surgery and encouraged me to see if my insurance would cover it, I thought "What have I got to lose, except a 100 lbs?" and a whole new life to gain!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I spent about a year researching the procedures and trying to decide. My surgeon only does open VBG's and RNY's. He prefers the VBG but has done over a thousand RNY's. He prefers VBG's due to the lower complication rate. And I was all set to have the VBG. But after more research, and taking into consideration that I am a large volume, large sweet and fat eater, I decided I wanted the RNY. I have seen too many posts from people with VBG's going in to have revisions, or gaining their weight back. I know myself...if there is a way to eat around a VBG I will do it. If I cannot control sweet intake now, what makes me think I will be able to after surgery, and I sure do not want to have to do this more than once. I am aware of the possible complications (Malabsorption) of the RNY and am willing to take my chances. I have done research on the vitamins and protein that is required and have already order them prior to my surgery. I am ready to do whatever it takes to start this new life off on the right foot.

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?

Of course, the main fear was dying from the surgery, or almost worst yet, living to have some awful complication. I would tell others having the same fears that yes, there is a risk of dying or having a terrible complication. The first thing you need to do is make sure you have a good surgeon. Find out how many surgeries he has done and what types of complications his patients have had. Find someone that he has done the surgery on and talk to them. Then keep in mind, you know that if you do not have the surgery you are going to die or have some terrible complication to live with. Decide whether you think the surgery is worth the risks, and then go for it!

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 was really surprised at the support I received from my family and friends. Out of everyone that I told, which were quite a few, no one had a really negative thing to say. Some were cautiously supportive. But no one was really awful about it. I think part of that may have been due to the fact that I had studied the surgery, the complications and the adverse effects of obesity. When I told them all of that, they had to be supportive! It ahs been almost 3 weeks since my surgery and everyone has continued to be very supportive.

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

I told my boss 2 weeks before I was to have the surgery. I decided there was no reason to hide it! I knew I was going to lose weight and people were going to ask questions, so I just came out and told all of my co-workers. My boss was moderately supportive. Of course she had the usual questions, but after I explained it all to her she agreed that it sounded like a good idea and said that she would be there to support me in any way possible. I came back to work for half a day the day after I got out of the hospital. I returned to work full time 10 days after the surgery.

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

My stay in the hospital was great. All the nurses and staff were GREAT. The first day post-op was extremely painful, but the next day was uch better and everyday just got better after that. I was there6 days. I had to stay an extra day becuase my lungs were not as clear as my doc would have liked. The one thing that I brought that I thought was the most important was baby wipes! I developed a bad case of diarrhea from the antibiotics and without the wipes my bottom would have been in terrible shape!

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

The only complication I had was my lungs not clearing as fast as my Dr. had wanted. I have asthma and I think that was part of it. I felt fine, and was not having any difficulty breathing, but my x-rays were not clear. All the other girls that had surgery the same day I did got to go home and I was left, the only one there at the hospital! I was really upset. I cried most of the morning, but then I decided I needed to get busy and take all of my breathing treatments and use my incentive spirometer so I could go home the next day!

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 only had 2 weeks from the time my date was scheduled until my surgery. Fortunately we were extremely busy those 2 weeks at work. I worked many long and hard hours and it kept my mind off of the impending surgery most of the time. When I found myself at home thinking about the surgery, I would get on the Internet and share my anxieties with others that had already gone through it. That really helped a lot.

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

My first few weeks home from the hospital went really well. It was about 5 days before I could lay down comfortably on my back to sleep, but other than that it was uneventful. I had no pain, and everyday just got better. I went back to work 10 days after the surgery. I have a mostly sit at the desk job....so that helped a lot, but I have had no problems thus far. I think the most trouble I have had is trying not to do to much. I just feel so good that I don't want to stop.

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

I only had to travel 2 hours to have the surgery. My surgeon likes for us to come in monthly, but I plan to go every other month. A friend and I will carpool together for the support meetings.

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.

When I very first came home from the hospital I could only eat about 1 oz. of food at a time. I am 10 weeks post op at this writing and I can eat about 2 1/2 oz now. I can eat most anything I want. I can eat bread, rice, popcorn, pickles and salads. I have the most trouble with meats. I do okay with hamburger, but other meats I have some trouble with. Sometimes I think it is because I eat them too fast or do not chew them well enough.

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

I have a wonderful activity level. I actually came home from the hospital feeling as good if not better than when I left. I am exercising at least 3 times a week, taking the stairs when possible and parking far away from the entrance to work.....at ten weeks post op I am going to the gym 4-5 times a week. I participate in water aerobics and I can walk a little over 3 miles on the treadmill.

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

I take 2 flinestones complete a day, as well as 2 - 500 mg Vit C and 500 extra mg of Calcium citrate. I also take a B - 12 once a week. * After 4 1/2 months I switched to Vita4Life Capsules, just for the convenience factor. I am very pleased with them. I was afraid I would have trouble with the capsules...they seemed so big, but I do not have any trouble at all.

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?

The only thing I have really had trouble with at 10 weeks out is acne. I began to break out about 6 weeks post op....really bad. It lasted for about 3 weeks and is better now. I still use acne medicines although it is better. I don't want to take any chances. Since that time I have re-developed migraines. My Dr. seems to think they are hormone related. I ahven't had one in a couple of weeks, so maybe they are getting better. My hair loss started at 3 1/2 months and has continued for the last 3 months. I hope it will slow down soon!

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

The worst part for me was the pain the first day post-op. After that day things got much better.

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

My surgeon has a support group meeting once a month. I do not go every month, but I stay in touch with his office on a monthly basis. This has been a tremendous help. He also has a web site that his patients can chat on...that has also been very helpful.

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

My scar is about 12 inches long....vertical in the middle of my tummy. It is exactly what I expected. I have 2 other scars from previous surgeries...so it just looks like one more!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had any true plateu experiences up to this point.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes! I had a woman at Wal-Mart tell me about a man that had returned his wifes 3X nighty because it was too small. She went on and on about how sorry she felf for the man!!! I did not know weather to be offended that she felt that way, or flattered that she thought I was far enough away from a 3X to share it with me!!!