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

I had a friend that heard about NeWeigh on the radio. she checked into it and had the proceedure done 2 years ago. To date she has lost over 80 of the 100 lbs she needed to loose. When she told me about the procedure I was stunned, I did not know there was such a thing for someone my size (I was 85 lbs over weight). I was scared to have surgery to help with my obesity, but I desparately wanted/needed to loose weight so I called NeWeigh to find out more about it.

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

The first time I applied I was working for a company that was self-insured and they denied my application. We appealed and appealed and appealed, but they continued to deny the surgery. After a year and a half, I changed jobs. I had a 6 month probation period so I couldn't apply again during that time, but when the probationary period was up I did call NeWeigh and we started the process over again with the new insurance company. It took 90 days, but I was approved on the first try. However, now that the surgery is over, (4 weeks) the insurance is telling me that they will not pay for the doctors fees after they sent me a letter indicating they had approved the surgery. I recommend finding out exactly what they will pay for and what they won't before you have surgery. Update: I am now 2 months post op. I called my insurance company to find out why they would not pay for the surgery and found that there was an error on my account, once that was corrected the insurnace company has now paid my claims.

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

My first visit with the surgeon was not a good one. I believe he was angry with his staff and didn't make my visit pleasant. However when I returned he was very nice, explained the procedure fully, but really didn't go into what I should expect after the surgery. I was too nervous to ask many questions, I should have. This is a lot more involved than you think. Ask every question you can think of. Talk to others that have had the procedure done and listen to what they tell you. This is not a magic bullet, there is a lot to it.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired and I knew that this was the best thing I could do for myself, for my health, and for my family.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The doctor recommended this procedure.

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 really didn't have any fears about dying from the surgery, I knew if I didn't have it I would die of heart attack or diabetes. I felt this was the lesser of the risks. This surgery is no picnic and is not a magic bullet, it will not work without lots of work on your part, but it is worth all the pain and discomfort to get a new lease on life - a healthy new life.

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 did not want me to have the surgery at first, but he saw that I was miserable the way I was. We talked about all the risks and about the benefits and we both felt that the benefits out-weighted the risks. He's been extremely supportive since then.

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

I did not tell them. I felt this was a private decision and that I did not need to let them know what I was having done. I explained that I would be out for gall bladder surgery, no one questioned it. I was out of work for 2 weeks, although I felt I came back too soon.

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 short, only 3 days. I had surgery on Monday and was discharged on Wednesday afternoon. The care was excellent, the nursing staff was always helpful and very kind. I think the most important thing to bring is something very loose fitting to wear home, nothing with zippers, or a belt.

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

I didn't have any complications from the surgery.

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

At first I was very excited but as the surgery date drew near I became very nervous. By the day of the surgery I was a nervous wreck, but I felt that this was still the best thing I could do for myself and for my health.

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

The first few weeks at home you will be very sore from the incision and moving around isn't easy. You will recover quickly from the discomfort and by 4 weeks you should be healed and able to move without any pain or discomfort.

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

The hospital was about 25 miles from my home. The distance was not a factor in my after care.

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.

The first two weeks post-op was not a problem, I was on a liquid diet, and while I didn't like the liquid supliments, I managed without too much problem. At the end of 2.5 weeks I was able to eat a "soft solid" diet, i.e. cottage cheese, tuna, baked fish, mashed potatoes, baked potaotes, etc. This was fine until I tried to eat more substantial food, grilled chicken, pasta, bread. I cannot eat any of this, but the worst was trying to eat any protien, I could not get it down. I am now 2 months post-op and I still cannot eat much protien. From 4 to 7 weeks post-op I could not keep much down, it seemed as though no food would be tolerated. I returned to the soft solid diet during that time. Now at 8 weeks post-op I am not vomiting, but I am having a major problem with sever acid reflux. I think that I am jus the type of person that seems to have more problems adjusting to the surgery than most.

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

At first I was not very active at all. But each day I would walk around the block, and every day it became a little easier than the day before. Now I can easily walk 2 -3 miles at a time with no problem.

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

Initially I took the recommended children's vitamins but they are too sweet and I can't get them down. At 6 weeks I returned to taking the adult vitamins, but I cut them in half. I take calcium and extra vitamin B complex suplements also cut in half.

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?

From week 4 - 7 post-op I was nausiated and vomited everything I ate. The doctor sent me back to the hospital for a upper GI series, but nothing was wrong. I returned to the soft solid diet during that time and it seemed to help. Now I am not vomiting but having major problems with sever acid reflux. This is truly worse than the vomiting. Liquid antiacid helps some but not enough and everything I eat seems to set it off. I am still on the soft solid diet (cottage cheese, applesauce, mashed potatoes, etc.) I don't seem to be able to tolerate protien.

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

Not being told about these side effects. If I had known that I might be experiencing them I may have decided not to have the surgery.

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

The NeWeigh program offers weekly/monthly support meetings. Unfortunately I have not been able to attend many of the meetings, but the few I have attended were helpful.

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

The scar is ok, I've been putting vitamin E cream on it day and night. It's still a little red, but it has healed well. I be glad when the redness goes away. I really didn't know what to expect, so I can't say I was disappointed or not.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I loose weight vey slowly so at 2 months post-op I'm only down 25 lbs. I seem to lose 3 -4 lbs then stay there for a week or two then lose 3-4 more. I know if I excersised more I would lose weight a little quicker.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People I work with have noticed the weight loss and coment on it, but no one is treating me any different. I didn't tell the people I work with about the surgery. Most think I had gallblader surgery and I've never said anything one way or the other. This is something very personal for me and I don't think they need to know.