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

Several years ago I heard about a person who had gone through it. My initial impression was that it was an extreme measure.

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

MY ADVICE -- Be proactive!!! I changed Primary Care doctors mid-2006. He suggested WLS and after a lot of thought and research, decided it was right for me. Our insurance was going to change 1/1/2007. At the required large group informational seminar, I explained everything to my surgeon's staff - they didn't seem to think there would be a problem having the surgery before year end. After I completed all the consultations (nutritionist, psychologist, cardiologist) I personally delivered the last report to the surgeon's office. The "insurance girl" said she would file the next day. I called 10 days later to check on the status. To my dismay, I had fallen through the cracks, because of cross training taking place in the office. Nothing had been filed. I called the insurance co (United Health Care) and asked if it was possible to get an approval. They said it was. After everything they had asked for was submitted, they asked for a Dr supported 5 year history, which I didn't really have. I had done everything on my own. On 1/4/07, the day we got insurance cards, I called BCBS of Georgia asking what was required for the surgery. They gave me a list. I called the surgeon's office. Girls said she would fax that day. I followed up a week later. Surgeon's office had heard nothing. I called BCBS. They said they didn't have everything. I called back to the surgeon's office -told them what BCBS said they didn't have. A week later I got a letter of 'non-certification' from BCBS. Everything they stated was covered in the information that should have been faxed. I talked with BCBS, asked for the supervisor. Stated all that information was faxed on 1/4. Supervisor said they didn't have it in the file. I contacted the Dr office. Faxed a release to the Dr office. They faxed the papers to me, I faxed to the supervisor at BCBS. Got approval faxed to my surgeon's office that same afternoon. I'm sure it would have been at least a month down the road if I hadn't gotten involved.

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

Dr. Boone was very cordial. It seemed important to him that I understood everything. I had a written list of questions, but he answered all but one in his conversations with me. He was very thorough.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I'm afraid of the consequences of remaining obese. I've never had any major health problems, have delivered 3 children naturally with no complications. Surgery is scary, but not having it seems more scary.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lap RNY is Dr. Boone's specialty. I have confidence in him.

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?

First, I am a Christian, so I feel that when I die I will be in a much better place. Yes, there is fear, but it isn't overwhelming to me. Dr. Boone covered the possibilities of complications and it was in the written booklet he sent home with me - so complications are a possibility. Having confidence in my surgeon and his "track record" has allayed most of my fears.

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 husband has always been very supportive to me in everything I have proposed to do. I knew he would be supportive - and he is!! I haven't told a lot of friends. I guess I'll tell them when they ask about my weight loss.

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

I don't work outside the home any more. So this doesn't apply to me.

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

Fresno Heart Hospital was wonderful. It had the feel of a nicer hotel. I was there less than 24 hours. They provided practically everything!!

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

I had to have the endoscopic procedure done about 2 months after surgery. Almost everything I ate came back up. The procedure helped tremendously!

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

Very excited. Since I've never had any hospitalizations other than having natural deliveries with our three sons, I'm probably a little more apprehensive than most people. I'm a strong Christian, so I have sought God for peace and comfort. I'm not fearful, I just want to get it over with!!!

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

Liquids get old pretty fast, but you know you have to do what the Dr. says!!! East very slowly. Don't drink with you meals. That was a very big adjustment for me.

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

Dr. Boone's office is a little over an hour from my house. The hospital is about the same. My Primary Care Physician recommended him.

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 followed my Dr's guidelines to the letter. Liquids only for 2 weeks. Then added very soft foods like mashed potatoes, refried beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, applesauce. This was for 2 weeks. Then went to Hamburger, fish, beans, fruits, cheeses for a couple more weeks. Added meat & chicken a week or 2 after that. I have never been a big milk drinker; after surgery it didn't taste, feel or give me anything good, so I don't drink milk. But I take my calcium supplements. At 8 months after surgery, I can now eat most anything, but I have some difficulty with meats - beef and pork. I have to chew it very well. Sometimes it doesn't feel comfortable after I eat it - so I don't eat it very often. I do much better with ground chicken than ground beef. Off limits foods - carbonated beverages - I've taken a sip or 2 and they don't even taste good any more. I drink mostly tea and crystal light type drinks. Plain water doesn't do well for me - I have to put something in it - lemon or lime. I stay away from snack foods!

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

I was amazed at what I could do. My energy level was low at first, but that changed after about 3 weeks. Most of my problems were related to not keeping much of anything down. Once the endiscopy was done, my energy level went way up, and I was a new person.

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

Chewable Multi Vitamins - I prefer the gummy ones. B-12, sublingual was on B complex for a couple of months Chewable Calcium Actigall (preventative Gall Bladder medication for 6 months) Nexium for 6 months

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?

For about a month, most everything I ate came back up. The endoscopic procedure helped that greatly. I have lost a lot of hair, which was thin to begin with. That has begun to taper off now - at 8 months after surgery. I haven't had any problems sleeping. I have had some trouble with constipation, which seems to have corrected itself now.

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

All the pre-surgery stuff - seeing this person and that Dr., and going through the insurance hassles. Just wanting to get it over with.

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

My family. I don't seem to have time for any of the support stuff, and it isn't really important to me, but that's not my personality.

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

I had laproscopic surgery, so I have 5 tiny incisions that are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long. They have healed nicely. They are flat, and never have any trouble from them. They are pinkish and darker than my skin - that is the only way I know they are there.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I didn't lose much weight after about 6 weeks - when I was throwing up almost everything I ate. I think my body went into 'starvation survival' mode. After that was fixed, I started losing. At about 6 month after surgery, I plateaued for 3 weeks, where I stayed basically the same weight. I didn't change anything, but then I lost 10 pounds in the next week, and have been losing steadily since.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No - I'm the same person.