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

I had a friend who had the surgery in 2000. She was having all sorts of complications. Her stomach leaked, she had a hernia that was the size of a baseball hanging from her waist, she'd throw up from almost everything she was eating. This surgery scared the hell out of me. Then i did some research and found out she wasn't taking care of herself. She was drinking carbonated drinks 2 months after surgery, she was eating fried foods constantly, she'd drink alcohol with every meal. This wasn't someone who wanted to be healthy. This was someone who just wanted to be thin - and the last i heard, she was in the hospital again. That was my first impression of this surgery, so i did a LOT of research. I discovered her case is NOT typical. Dr. Hutcher explained it the best... "I'm giving you the car to get you to a healthier life...how you drive it is up to you." Smart man.

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

IF THE INSURANCE SAYS YOU NEED TO PROVE MEDICAL NECESSITY, ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTATION FROM YOUR PHYSICIANS MUST SAY EXACTLY THOSE WORDS IN THEIR LETTERS OF APPEAL............... "MEDICAL NECESSITY!!"

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

Well, Dr. Hutcher seemed to not focus on me as much. But the thing was, my mom and I had an appointment the same day. Our appointments were supposed to be back-to-back, but he ended up taking us both at the same time because he was running late. My mom did the best thing, i think....she kept a notebook of everything and had it all organized. then she kept a notebook of questions and answers - basically saying, "doc, i heard this...is it true?" then he'd explain. he took a LOT of time but his questions were more towards my mother because she'd had approval already (basically) and he knew my insurance wouldn't pay... lol

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

30 years of bullshit

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

my doctor decided. he only does open rny. i believe dr. hutcher is awesome at what he does, and he's very thorough - so i don't dare ask him to do a different procedure. also, his associates perform variations of the surgery, but like i said, arrogant or not, i wanted the best - and i'll wait for it. :)

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 have just as much fear from dying while i drive my car - except i know who's in control of my operation.... and i NEVER know who's in control of the cars on the highway... to me, it didn't seem as risky. but - i know those "thoughts" were in the back of my head and they surface, trying to sway me from my mapped out course - but i'll NOT DEVIATE!! UPDATE: 9/6/03 - I believe what helped me keep my nerves in check during the surgery wait and after surgery was the absolute support i had from this website, my family and friends. Without their cheering me on, i may have been shaky, but they truly helped keep me grounded and positive at all costs.

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?

Everyone was happy for me except my oldest son. his step-mother had the surgery about 7 years ago, and she still has problems w/bowel obstructions. he's nervous for me. he said "mom, i've never known you any other way but like you are." he's right. but the funny thing is, neither have i!! lol I've told my friends and family about the surgery date. Everyone except my ex-satan-in-law...oops, i meant ex-MOTHER-in-law (you think i'm kidding...), is happy for me. lol She thinks it's a big mistake. However, this is a woman who is still practically breast-feeding her 34-year-old son...he can do NOTHING without her approval or permission. i'm nervous, but content and settled. nothing anyone could say would change my mind at this point. I'd rather die TRYING SOMETHING than live doing NOTHING!! UPDATE: 9/6/03 - Again, the support i've received since surgery has been nothing but fabulous. I have friends offering me to borrow their clothes when we go out. HOW WEIRD IS THAT??!!

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

My boss was apprehensive, but supportive. I was honest with the surgery and why i was having it done. I was supposed to be out of work for 6 weeks, but i had a sit-down job and went back for 1/2 days after 3 weeks. I worked 1/2 days for about 6 weeks... then switched jobs and worked my normal 8 hours. It was tough and hard work. I'd come home feeling like my knuckles were dragging the ground, but i did it... and it helped boost my confidence AND helped me lose the weight. THERE IS NOTHING I CAN'T DO NOW... well, except fly. I can't fly. Ugh. :o)

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 really really good while I was in ICU. I had to stay in ICU because there were no beds in the GastroBypass Ward. The nurses there were PHENOMINAL and sooooooo considerate. I remember crying because my back itched (this is the night of surgery, around 10 p.m.) and i couldn't reach the itch, and a nurse came in and asked what was wrong. i explained. She gently itched the spot and then rubbed some lotion on my back (without being asked!). She smiled and said, "Hope you can get some sleep now." SHE was AWESOME. HOWEVER, once i got into the GastroBypass ward, the nurses were rude, hateful and inconsiderate. I believe they forgot how to be compassionate because this surgery is sooooooo "optional". (yeah, right). The most important things to bring......slippers that slide on, and a sign-in book - so if people come by and you're not awake, they can leave you a note saying "hi". *I* thought it was a good idea, anyway. lol

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

NO complications at all.

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 that i'd actually gotten approved, and was prepared mentally for it. I had so much support. The only "bad" moment was when i wrote out my living will. It was tough thinking something might happen and i'd be leaving my kids. But i knew in my heart if i didn't do this for ME... i'd be dead to them anyway - cuz i wasn't living, i was just... here. My mother had surgery w/the same doctor i had surgery with, so i had some knowledge of his skill and expertise. I got to see all she was going thru, and she was very open about everything. It was awesome to have that "inside" view. It helped keep me calm. UPDATE: Since surgery, I feel stronger and stronger every day. No problems, except feeling a little blue from having my tummy cut - and i keep relating the cyst they removed from my ovary to a "baby". It really upset me that i had a cyst, and i felt like i'd failed at making a baby somehow. That was the ONLY depressing moment i had.

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

First few weeks at home, i took it really easy, and my fiance stayed with me. He took 2 weeks off from work. THAT help immensely. My mom and dad took my kids for the weekend. I got home from the hospital on a Thursday evening (around 9 p.m. I think), and that Friday, my mom and dad took the boys for me. The following Friday they took them again, but i was feeling better so they brought them back saturday afternoon.

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

I travelled approximately 40 minutes. I remember falling asleep on the way home :) Sweet, blessed sleep.... ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

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.

So far, i've learned that i can eat pasta in SMALL quantities. Okay, okay, i eat EVERYTHING in small quantities, but if i eat... pasta salad, or mac & cheese... i have to eat only ONE noodle at a time, and i can only eat 2-4 noodles. Potatoes... i took 6 of them and baked them in the oven... they were about 1/2 the size of my hand - and i put them in my fridge so when i wanted a quick meal, i could heat in up in the microwave and "vwaaaa-laaaahhhh" i have a meal. However, i ended up not exactly liking the taste of them as much as i like the taste of my Carnation. Go figure.

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

I walked more every day. One day, i walked down my hall way, the next, i walked out the living room door and down the front porch steps. The next, i walked to the drive way, then to the mail box (at the end of the drive way). you get the picture. even if it was only a few FEET more than the day before, that's what i did. I'm walking about a mile now and i'm 17 days post op.

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

I take the following vitamins: 1 B-12 1 Ecotrin Aspirin 1 A&D (cod liver oil) 2 Flinstones (instead of the 1x One-A-Day vitamin) 1 Tums (probably should do 2x a day, but i haven't) 1 Gas Relief pill (just to keep the bubbles outta my tummy) 1 150 Mg. Zantac

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?

At first, sleeping was AWFUL. The pain around the ribs in my back was VICIOUS. But the tylenol helped with that, and i haven't taken any pain meds since October 4th. (today is Oct 11). I have had minimal nausea so far, but i'm still on soft foods. I have one yogurt a day, a few bites of cottage cheese, i TRY to have 3 C.I.B.s a day, but usually only get down 2...and i eat soup... i LOVE Healthy Choice PROGRESSO Chicken Noodle soup. Carrots, Celery and chicken, as well as noodles. Blend it in a blender or cyphon it between your teeth to get it all smooshed up - then swallow... the veggies are soooooooo soft, they're easy to mush. No dumping, but like i said... noodles sit HARD in my tummy. The sleep disturbance has subsided, but i still wake about 2x a night to get a better position, cuz i'm a tummy sleeper, and i can't sleep on my tummy. :( UPDATE: 5/3/03 - I can eat pretty much anything I want to eat. I don't eat sweets, just as a personal choice. IF i should happen to WANT something sweet, i simply take a bite or two. I don't really deprive myself of anything, but I definately have limits i give myself. I try to eat protein all day long, and at the end of the day, have a snack. If i eat too fast, I get sick. Period. I don't have any other food issues. I've been very VERY lucky thus far. I've lost approximately 110 lbs., and I'm feeling WONDERFUL!

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

THE NURSES IN THE BARIATRIC WARD. THEY WERE MEAN, HATEFUL, MEAN, UNCARING, DISCOURTIOUS, ..... DID I MENTION MEAN??!! Big hateful meanie ladies!! But... again... the ICU nurses were PHENOMINAL and i would recommend STAYING there if you can!!!! In fact, one of the ladies in my classes (Lydia), she and i would tote our I.V. stands with us, and we'd encourage eachother to walk. The nurses would yell at us as we walked by the nurse's station..."show off!!" :) they were GREAT emotional supporters and motivators!..... Love those guys!!

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

My family, first and foremost. I'm lucky. A lot of people don't have the moral/emotional support i have from my family (and by "my family", I mean my future inlaws, my parents, my Frank and my kids and Vick.) And they have helped to keep my attitude focused on the END result... not the HERE and NOW. 17 days out, of course, i'm still fat!! lol I don't expect to suddenly turn thin, however, i believe each one of us who undergoes this surgery secretely hope for it anyway. lol UPDATE: 5/3/03 - I weigh about 180 lbs, and I'm in a 12/14. UPDATE: 9/6/03 - I weigh 163 lbs and i'm in various sizes from 8s-12s.

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

My scar is very tender, still, and it's approximately 5" long. There is a 2" x 3" spot next to my incision/scar, where i have no feeling. To push on it hurts, to rub on it burns. My dad (he had gall bladder surgery done 35 YEARS ago) said there are some spots on his scar that he has very little or no feeling at all, even still. So i'm expecting it to get better. It doesn't HURT, it just feels....weird. UPDATE: 5/3/03 - My scar is almost non-existant. It has all feeling like I did pre-op. It's not tender to touch, but it's sensitive.... like when someone puts their finger in your bellybutton...eww! lol My scar is normal color, and looks really great. I put nothing on it except occasionally some Vitamin E oil. UPDATE: 9/6/03 - my scar is almost invisible. All normal feeling/sensations have returned and there is no discomfort whatsoever.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I do not weigh myself except when I go to the doctor. I refuse to become obsessed with the scale, therefore, it's much less for me to worry about. I'm not stressed every day if there's a pound gain or loss. It's immaterial. I feel the overall result is more important than a "day by day" account of how much I weigh.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. Especially men. Women are nicer (go figure) and most can't believe I was ever THAT BIG. Men make comments more frequently, and I simply ignore them. If I didn't have Frank, it may make a difference, but I DO have Frank... and couldn't care less what they notice or DONT notice. :) One thing though..... I've never had so many men open and hold doors open for me in my LIFE!! lol UPDATE: 9/6/03 - wow... the changes. Yeah, men are much more attentive. I get smiles, doors opened, even offers to walk me to my car. When i go out, i always go with friends - and my guy friends tease me and say they have to "beat the guys off with sticks". whatever. haha. Women are more interested in being friends with me, where as before, i was always the woman who WANTED to be a friend. It's all still very new and strange. But for the first time in my life, i walk with my head high and am very proud of my SELF.