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

My sister-in-law was the first person I personally new who had followed through with the surgery.

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

My insurance, Univera, I really had no problems at all getting a referral or approval for the surgery. I initially went to the informational meeting with Dr. Caruana Feb.25th 2003 and my surgery was April 24th 2003. As far as giving advice to others with their insurance company, you must be persistant as far as making sure your primary Dr. writes the referral up,finding out exactly what type of medical information your ins. co. requires then making sure he or she sends the proper information that your ins. co. is looking for to gain approval.

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 was just an informational meeting with several other patients looking into the option of having the surgery. To get the most of this meeting you just need to listen, take a notebook to jot down things of importance to you, and most of all ASK QUESTIONS that pertain to your situation.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Well after attending the informational meeting with Dr. Caruana I also went to a support group meeting in the area for those who have had and are anticipating the surgery to hear the before and after pros and cons of the surgery, and joining the A.M.O.S. online I made my decision to have the surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After hearing of the several different procedures I felt RNY was the best thing for me to do.

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?

Look, I was overweight, my health was in jeoperdy, I had made my decision to go through the surgery after collecting all the valuable information I needed, and I had no fears of dying or having complications. I went into that operating room with the most positive attitude. I did not listen to the many complaints of how much pain there was involved, and the what ifs. I believe the positive attitude helped me. The pain was not as bad, in fact I was up and at a Cher concert nine days after surgery. Please remember everyone is different, but having a positive attitude is a good thing in anything you do.

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?

Before the surgery my husband was very supportive of my decision. The rest of my family was not as supportive due to their fears of the unknown. So I really did not talk a great deal about the surgery at length with many members of my family. Of course my family was very happy once it was all over with and I felt much more comfortable discussing things with them.

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

I was not employed at the time of 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 normal, uncomfortable bed, being hooked up to IV'S, etc. I was there from Thursday to Sunday. Of course you want to bring your toothbrush, a bathrobe, and slippers since they do want you up and about quickly.

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

I didn't have any complications per say. My body did decide to retain fluids and on the third day of my stay there a few of us who had the surgery were up walking around and found a scale, well one had lost 7 lbs. another had lost 9 lbs. and here I had gained.... due to the water retention.

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

Well I had about a four week notice of my surgery date. I had taken that time to go shopping and buy all my vitamins, jello, baby food, broth, and any thing else that I needed for when I returned home from the hospital. I was very excited that it was soon going to be done. I really didn't have much anxiety about the surgery, again I was very confident that everything was going to be just fine.

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

The first few weeks I did much of nothing. I was up and about and as I stated earlier I was at a Cher concert nine days after surgery. You do tend to tire easly for a while. I definatly suggest taking things very slow and do not push yourself to much because you will feel it as your day progresses.

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

I really did not have to travel very far. The hospital was maybe a 15 to 20 minute drive from my house.

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.

Well the first week or so liquids was the only thing on my menue. I then started on Boost, which I really liked. Then like the third week I was eating baby food, and pureed food. I even pureed some pizza and as bad as it sounds it was very good to me. The very first thing I ate that was normal was a chicken wing which was in the beginning of my forth week post op. Once on regular food, I was able to eat such a small amount like a half piece of toast, a half cup of tea, basically only a few bites of anything. No eating was not one of my main priorities for a few months. I was a chocoholic before surgery so of course I tried very very small pieces of chocolate here and there and had no bad reactions. About eight weeks in I decided to try a piece of steak, I love steak, but it sure was the biggest mistake! Please do not try to eat steak for at least five months after! Now as far as pasta, for some reason I was able to handle like a half a package of Ramen noodles when I first started on regular foods and had no bad reactions. Now, when I do happen to eat alittle to much, I am not one to vomit but I do have to go lay down for about twenty minutes or so. I have had dumping syndrome once since the surgery and that was when I had a piece of sugar free chocolate. Right now nine months after surgery I can eat anything except things that are creamy like puddings etc. I get a very upset stomach if I try something like that.

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

Again everybody is different with thier tolerance of pain and how much activity they can handle. I think I was able to handle more activities than I should have. But there was times when I over did things and would be pretty tired. Like about 4 weeks after surgery I was outside hosing my porch off moving my picnic table and benches and I did hurt somewhat afterwards.

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

I take a multiple vitamin, B12 complex, Folic acid, and a vitamin C daily. I was taking the hair skin and nails vitamin for about seven months after surgery but I no longer take them.

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?

Yes I have nausia when I eat a little to much even now. I have not vomited once. I will never suffer from a sleep disturbance... Yes I did lose some hair but I took the hair vitamins regular for about seven months. So the worst of it for me is the nausia till this day as I said if I eat to much then either I have to lay down or actually move around and do housework or something and that helps.

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

The worst part of the surgery for me was being in the hospital with the IV's on and having to move around with all that stuff attached. It also wasn't a very pleasent feeling when they took the drainage tube out.

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

Well my sister-in-law, a friend and my neice had the surgery done before I did so I would call them to get answers to some of my questions. Also signing up on the AMOS web site has been a very good thing for me. Now I know quite a few people that are awaiting surgery dates and talking with them and helping them through thier anxieties makes me feel pretty good.

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

My scar is about 4 inches long and light in color. Yes it is what I expected.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Plenty of compliments!