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

I learned of bariatric surgery about 20 years ago (I'm 28) when my mother had her stomache stapled. It was a complete failure. She had it done when the only proceedure out there was new, not well known, and had it done by a doctor she didn't like anyway, because he was the only one willing to do it...she was that desperate! She was sick and miserable for years...even after having it reversed. Yet, still today I am here, ready to have it done. I know how much it has changed, I have done the reasearch, most here on obesityhelp.com, and I am confident in myself to choose a good M.D.

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

The only problem I had with BCBS was the fact that they gave my physician a verbal ok and did not send a letter. I could have had my surgery several weeks earlier had they sent a letter to my M.D. I had to call and ask them to do it.

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

Pay attention! Take notes and ask questions. Make a list prior to the visit. My first visit consisted of an hour or so with a clinical person who described the surgery. Afterward a quick painless physical by a resident, a meeting with a dietician and a psycologist. Just be calm and and ask questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My mother. She had stapling done over 20 years ago and it was a huge disaster. When I told her what I was thinking about doing she said "Donna, I think you need to do it." Then she told me how she and my father have conversations about my dying before they do. Yikes!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted what Dr. Alverdy felt was best for me, which was the RNY. I had no second thoughts.

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 like this. I had total confidence in Dr. Alverdy and his team. I guess the thing I would say to others who do feel those fears: Do you trust your M.D.? If so, relax a bit more, if not, then find another one, and quick!

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 has been a total support for me. Those people that I knew had a negative feeling about bariatric surgery, I waited to tell them and then explained first how I took almost 3 years to research this and invited them to check out Obesityhelp.com.

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

My vice president was wonderful and very supportive. I will be out of work six weeks.

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

I was in the hospital for 3 days and my two complaints were related to the resp. therapist and to one nurse. The therapists seemed to forget I was there at night and I stayed on the treatments what seemed like forever and one nurse could not give a Lovenox injection to save her drowning family's lives! I have a bruise and a knot still that are huge and I am almost 3 weeks post op.

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

Not really. I had a g-tube inserted and it does not seem to be healing as quickly as the Jackson-Pratt wound healed. Overall, though, it looks ok.

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 very anxious for my date to come. I waited over 3 months. I just tried not to think about it. The worst was the week before because everyone asked if I was getting nervous. I never got nervous but I remained very excited until the drugs took effect and they wheeled me into surgery.

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

I was very tired and sore. It almost appalled me to think about eating. It is very important to have someone with you who will encourage you to eat. I still am not hungry but I am strong enough to say "Donna, you have to eat now" The first two weeks I only wanted to sleep.

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

Only 45 minutes if traffic was with me.

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

I did not move around much the first week post op and I could not lay flat. It felt as though something was pulling in my abdomen when I did. I slept propped up on the living room loveseat with my legs stretched out on a foot stool. By the second week I was in my own bed, still sore, though, and I felt like moving around and fixed my own food and such. I am almost 3 weeks now and I spent the day with my daughter at an indoor play place. ( I sat a lot) I still can't pick up more than 10 lbs and I get tired quickly also. I can't wash dishes yet...my back hurts too much.

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

I took a chewable multivitamin the first week then moved to a prenatal vitamin called Duet, Vitamin B 12, 500mcg and Citracal + D. These three I will take the rest of my life. I am ok with this since I hope to get rid of at least half of the others I take simply because of my weight...blood pressure, hormone, depression...etc.

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?

So far my only side effect has been pain in my chest when I swallow to much at one time...it only takes once or twice and you'll never do that again. OUCH!!

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

Waiting. Dr. Alverdy has a waiting list a mile long and 6-8 months wait time.

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

My scars are insignificant. I had a laproscopic and by the time I am thin, they should be hard to see. It is exactly what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Twice since surgery I have gone a week without losing wt. but the very next week I lost again. Understandable

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, except all of my co-workers and friends are congratulating me now. It feels wonderful to hear their comments...everyone is so supportive.