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

My close friend was having it done. My mother had a friend that had it done 20 years ago and she had many complications and gained all the weight back. My mother tried to discourage me and my friend tried to encourage me. I was very confused.

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

I went for my initial consultation on 3/23/04. I was denied twice by the insurance-mostly because I hadn't gone through a physician assisted weight loss program. I had plenty of documentation that I had done it on my own through Weight Watchers, etc. and because of my many health issues, I was finally approved in November, 2004.

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

It was positive. I had chosen the same surgeon my friend had and since I had gone with her to all the appointments and the surgery, I was familiar with him. People can get the most out of the meeting by being well informed beforehand and knowing what questions to ask. Going to the website and checking out profiles, etc. is very helpful. Take your spouse, parents, significant other (not children-too intense and long for them) so that they can ask questions and be well informed also.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had a bad fall in February 2004 and it was discovered through xrays that I have moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The weight was aggravating the situation. Not that insulin dependent diabetes II, borderline hypertension and high cholesterol levels weren't reason enough, the fall was the turning point.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

It was a no brainer-the gastric band is too risky in my opinion. My doctor felt the Rouxen Y gastric bypass was most effective 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?

I had no fears. I have a very strong faith in God and knew in my heart that it was His will for me to have the surgery (events during the approval process convinced me of this). I was not afraid of the surgery-only of the IV! ( I have a thing about needles-especially the ones that stay in the vein for awhile!!!) If I were to die, it would only be because it was my time, not because of the surgery.

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 parents were apprehensive before they went with me to the consultation but changed there minds after the meeting. My family and friends are totally supportive of me and encourage me everyday. They tell me how proud they are of me and everything that I have gone throught so far. That is the best part!

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

Several people that work for the State of Indiana have had the surgery-many in my division (the BMVC). They were very supportive and helpful. I had no problems with my employer or direct supervisors. I was off 7 weeks-longer than I anticipated due to some healing issues and pain but they were very understanding and requests for additional time was granted quickly. I was paid the entire time due to having adequate sick and vacation time and special sick pay.

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

My stay at the hospital was intially very good. I was there from Friday afternoon (day of surgery) until Sunday at noon. I was to stay until Monday but insisted that I leave on Sunday due to inadequate care given to me on Saturday night. I basically took care of myself that night and since I did so, I saw no reason to stay in the hospital and have my insurance continue to pay for it! Make sure you take soft pillows from home, the ones at the hospital are hard! Take comfortable clothes (loose clothes) to go home in and sturdy walking shoes because they get you up right away to walk!

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

I didn't the first two weeks after but them I had alot of pain from one of the surgery sites (I had laproscopic-it was one of the larger incisions in the left abdominal area- Dr. Huse said it was the incision that most of the instruments were put into). The muscle was healing and tightening, causing more pain than I could tolerate. I had to stay home and REST REST REST!!! Don't try to do too much (like driving) too soon, even if you feel great!

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 was excited. I couldn't wait for the day to get here. I was anxious but not in a bad way!

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

Expect to be tired. Expect not to have much of an appetite (strange, I know!) Walk as much as possible, even when having pain as it will help lessen it and help with circulation-preventing clots is essential! WEAR YOUR LAP BAND 24/7! IT IS AWKWARD BUT IT HELPS SO MUCH WITH PAIN!!!!

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

It was a 3 hr+ drive one way. I live in LaPorte County, Indiana which is near the Michigan State Line and the surgery was done in Carmel, Indiana (very near Indianapolis.) The ride home was grueling as the pain meds wore off 1/2 way home and I had not had the presciption filled yet. Get enough pain meds for the trip home if you are traveling very far!

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 a big diet Coke fan and loved breads. Breads are a no-no right now and the diet Coke, well now that I can drink it again, it doesn't taste the same and the carbonation makes makes my stomach hurt sometimes. The diet is very restrictive at first but as time goes on you can add a variety of things. I was happy when I could eat salads again (3months). My doctor said I could eat pretty much anything I could tolerate after my 3 month appointment except beef and bread. Some things I didn't tolerate very well-like pasta (it came back up within minutes of eating it) but it is a trial and error thing. What you may not be able to tolerate this week will be okay next week. DO NOT GO OVER YOUR OUNCES!!! Don't stretch the pouch too soon! I also had to stay on the Protonix (it is like Nexium, Prevacid, etc.) after my 3 month check as I had a bad bout with continued vomiting when I tried to go off it. This is a personal thing with me-I know others who have not had to stay on the drug more that the three months after surgery. I don't have very many problems with food right now. I am craving hot dogs (it's a summer thing) but I am afraid to try them. I have had no problems with dumping syndrome cause by sugar intake but I haven't eaten things with real sugar in them in so long (because of my diabetes) that they taste funny to me now!

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

Each week I find I have more and more energy. This is amazing to me. I have been so tired for so long-even to give my house a good cleaning was more than I could handle. I can do cleaning and mowing my lawn without stopping every 15 minutes or so to rest. I feel part of life again and it is great!

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

I take Flintstones Chewable multivitamin (2) each morning, along with Biotin (for hair loss and skin vitality), one tab daily. I also take one tab of Protonix and one mg. of Amaryl (for diabetes) This is the best part, I was taking 1500 mg of Glucovance everyday and 60 units of Humalog 75/25 insulin twice a day for my diabetes and now I will be completely off diabetic meds very soon. Thank God for this surgery. Regaining my health is the best thing. Also, don't buy the store brand of the multivitamin-they taste terrible! The Flintstone brand is worthe the extra money!

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 hair loss has been the worst. I had really thick hair to start so it isn't really noticable to anyone but me and my immediate family. It is starting to slow down now and there is evidence that it is starting to grow back. I am almost 6 months post op and it started around the 3rd month post op. The vomiting is maybe once/twice a week when I have eaten too fast or it is something I have tried but can't tolerate yet. Be careful about eating too fast. I was okay with my eating pace until I went back to work and had a more limited time in which to eat. Socializing (talking) and eating don't mix well as you are not concentrating on how fast or slow you are eating. I don't have a problem with dumping. Drink alot of non-carbonated liquids as I have experience mild dehydration in the last few months.

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

Hair loss. Maybe it is a vanity thing because when I was heavier, I thought the only thing beautiful about me was my hair and eyes. Maybe I am just very sensitive to it. But of the 6 other women I personally know that have had the surgery, all but one of them have complained about the hair loss the most. After all, a woman's hair is her crown in Glory!

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

The closest one to me that is associated with St Vincent Bariatrics is in Fort Wayne Indiana. It is a good 2 hr drive from me. My "support group" has been friends that have had it done, I know 6 others and we talk quite often and share ideas, etc. My family is also a great deal of support and encouragement. What more could I ask!

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

I have two scars that are about 2 inches long (horizontal) on each side of my abdomen and four others that are less than a 1/2 inch long. It is better than I expected. I was never a "bathing beauty" even when I was younger and very thin teen. Scars are the least of my concerns!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Right after I went back to work, I had a plateau. I had lost 43 lbs in 7 weeks and then stayed at that point for about 3 weeks. I was upset as I was beginning to think that was all I was going to lose! I had another plateau at 75lbs. lost-stayed there for a month. Then about two weeks ago I started losing again and now I am down 82 lbs.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, especially my exhusband. He was always one that was more concerned about the outside of a person than the inside (that is one of the reasons we are no longer married). My daughters warned me about this (they are very protective of me where their father is concerned) and they were right. My feeling toward anyone who treats me better now that I have lost 82 lbs is that they are not worth my time. I am the same person I was at 300 lbs! People who treat your better just because you are thinner aren't worth the time of day. And, I will never forget where I was. I feel this surgery has given me more compassion and the desire to encourage others to have it done that are experiencing the same misery I did.