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

I've been hearing about it for many years. I remember back in the mid-eighties hearing about something called the Gastric Bubble, where they put some sort of balloon in your stomach to make it hold less food and so you will feel full. I was really interested in that. But never did anything about it 'cause I couldn't afford it. Now I see how far they have come and I am ready for the duodenal switch procedure. It seems like the very best one to me. 4/18/02: Now I guess it will be the RNY since my Medical Group won't approve me for Dr. Rabkin. It's okay. I just want it DONE!

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

Oh, boy, that's a big mess. I have been turned down three times. I'm starting to have hope now. I have been approved for an initial consultation, so we'll see what happens from here... Once I got it rolling and had all my ducks in a row, everything went smoothly with the insurance. I never had to write another letter. The surgeon's office took care of everything.

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

I met with Dr. Waldrep's associate, Dr. Suh. He was charming and funny and very informative. I didn't have too many questions, but he explained everything just in case (in detail).

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I want to live to see my son grow up.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched all of them and the duodenal switch seems like the best one with the least side effects. But now I will be having the RNY since I can't get approved for the DS.

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'm not afraid. I have read so much about it I feel like I know everything there is to know.

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 family is very excited for me and can't wait. A couple of my friends are nervous about it and one of them is always telling me stories of people who have died. She makes me crazy. I don't listen to her anymore because I understand the risks but there are more risks to living like this. My family has been great. They are all happy for me and are the best!!! 11/16/02: My family has been very supportive and they tell me every day how great I look!

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

My boss doesn't really know yet. I told her I may be having surgery soon but I didn't tell her why. She doesn't pry. I imagine she'll know soon enough when I have to fill out the disability forms. My boss and all my team members have been awesome. My boss especially has been very supportive. Of course she wants me back to work! Haha! I was out a total of 3 weeks with the LAP RNY.

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

I checked in at 11:00 am and they took me in and set up my IV. The anesthesiologist came in and asked me a bunch of questions about my prior surgeries. The surgeon came in and made some jokes and asked if I had any questions. Then after awhile, they came to take me to surgery. I had a fine ride to the operating room with the surgical nurse. Everyone was so sweet and the next thing I remember was waking up. The hospital was lovely, like a resort. All the rooms are private and the nurses were extremely attentive. I lacked for nothing. I was only in some pain after waking up but they took care of that right away and I had no significant pain after that. As for stuff to bring, I didn't use anything except my shampoo. Everything else was provided for me.

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

No complications. Everything went smoothly.

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

The first week and a half was pretty lousy. I felt exhausted and had quite a bit of pain from the drain. The pain meds helped with that, but when I got the drain out at 10 days post, I felt like a new person. Things have just gotten better and better since then. And losing 20 pounds wasn't bad, either! I didn't have any anxiety.

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

See prior response. After the first week and a half, I was good to go! 11/16/02: I still feel very good. I have had some problems with constipation but I think that is because I am having trouble getting enough fluids. I will try sucking ice. I heard that is a good way to get more in.

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

85 miles. No problem.

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 was on clear liquids until I got my drain out at 10 days. Then I could eat soft foods like scrambled eggs and soup and yogurt. Now I am on fish and soft lunchmeat like turkey. I will be able to have bread, chicken, pasta and rice in a week or two. I have no problems with any food that I have eaten. Watermelon is my favorite right now. 11/16/02: I can eat anything so I have to be careful. I eat mostly protein: eggs, cheese, beans, peanut butter, meats. I try to stay away from the carbs but eat a little. I have had no vomiting or nausea and the only time I feel uncomfortable is when I eat too much. I have to remember to stop eating before I feel full because I eat so little that it goes pretty fast. I put my food on a little plate and try to put only a little bit. It's hard when you are used to getting a big plate full of food. I went to a party with my friends over Halloween and saw their plates bulging with food and thought, wow, I used to eat like that!

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

I was extremely exhausted in the first week or so. I still get kinda tired at 2 weeks out, but my energy is coming back quickly. I will go back to work next week (3 weeks total). 11/16/02 My energy is really good now. Not as good as I would like but much better than before surgery. I get better every day.

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

Flintstones chewables, twice a day.I quit the Flintstones cause they are nasty. I am taking Gummyvites right now but I'm going to get some Centrum chewables. I think I need some calcium too. 1 year post: This is what I take now: 1 Centrum chewable, 1500 mg of Vitamin C, 1 Vitamin E, 2 Citracal and a sublingual B-12 every day.

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?

After getting the drain out, the pain in my shoulder was gone and I haven't had any side effects after that. 11/16/02: My hair is starting to fall out more even though I eat a lot of protein but I have lots of hair so I don't care. It's just messy.

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

Waiting...And waking up right after surgery. That was pretty bad, but it didn't last long. I was pretty out of it in the hospital. They kept me doped up most of the time so I wasn't in much pain.

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

My biggest support group is the chat room here on this website. The surgeon's support group is too far away for me to attend. I don't need a lot of help. I have researched this surgery so well that I know pretty much everything I could possibly expect, I think. I am a positive person and I have a lot of strength, plus a good support system at home.

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

I only have 5 tiny little holes from the LAP RNY and they will probably disappear soon. I've had lap surgery twice before and I have no scars from those.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost 18 pounds in the first 10 days but it has been slow ever since. Everyone tells me that I am doing good but I thought it would go faster. I need to up my fluids. It's hard to get enough in. 1 year post: I have been on a plateau for two months. I hover between 198 and 195, back and forth. I recently bought a bicycle and have been taking daily rides for the exercise and am hoping that will jump start my weight loss again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My girlfriends are nervous around me a little bit. They don't want to indulge in things I can't have but I tell them to go ahead, it doesn't bother me a bit. My co-workers are really supportive. They tell me I am looking really good.