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

I met a lady about 10 years ago that had had it and stsrted thinking about it then, but did not get "SERIOUS" about it until 1999. I first saw a VBG doctor in a town about 40 miles from my home, I liked him fine but decided when the time came (2 years later) that I wanted the RNY done and I could have it done locally where my family could saty with me, and I am glad I did.

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

I was denied by my husbands insurance in 1999 and the appeal was denied also. In 2000 I applied with my employer and it and the appeal was denied also. (I really didn't fight) Then in 2001 we changed to an HMO that did cover MO so I applied and was denied again, I appealed and it was approved within just a few days. I think all insurance companies deny the first time, but don't give up, fight for your self and give them eveything they ask for plus some.

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

She really wanted to make sure that this surgery was want I wanted beacuse it is such a major surgery and lifestyle change. She asked me alot of WLS questions just to see how much research I had done. My spouse was required to be there and she answered all his questions and explained to him the risks and procedure.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Determination and the willingness to change my eating habits.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The surgeon I chose only performs the open procedure, but after I researched both types I would have chosen the open anyway due to less complications.

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?

Blood clots were my main fear because you hear so much about them, but the doctors take so many precautions for you that it is a very slim chance of having them, just walk walk walk and do as the nurses tell you.

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?

TERRIBLE! Still at 7 months post op they treat me differently. Comming from an all obese family none of them can understand why I had this surgery (you'd think they'd know why) They treat me totally differnt like I am not the same person and it's like they don't want to discuss it or hear of my sucess. They tell others how sickly I am and that I almost died from surgery, etc. I have my dear husband to Thank for being supportive and my close friends have been wonderful.

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

I am self employed (Home daycare) and I had surgery on 11-12-01 so I just took off till the new year(7 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 7 days, less than 12 hours in ICU, then transfered to my room where I was pretty much out of it (Epidural) for the next 2 days, then the following days were LONG. My hubby stayed with me almost 24 hours a day to help out, so I'd say someone to be with you is the most important thing because the nurses are just too busy to help you when you need it and sometimes things just can't wait.

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

Thank God I had no complictions from 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?

I saw my surgeon on Nov 5 and was scheduled for surgery on Nov 12 so I only had 1 week. I wrote letters to my family and made other arrangements just in case and I cried alot.

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

Hell! I was sick the first 6 weeks pretty much daily and you feel like crap for the first 3-4 weeks.

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

only about 15 miles And that ride home was terrible so I pity the ones having to travel 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.

This is a hard one, lets see, I am serious when I say this, for the first 6+ weeks I could not eat anything at all without throwing up to some extent. And still today at 7 months post op most things I eat still give me that "yucky" feeling to my stomach. But I started out with soft foods like mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, eggs, broths, and jellos. Then I eventually added in other items such as raw veges and soups (vegetable beef makes me seriously ill) Now at the 6-7 months point I am eating more and am just now implementing meats into my diet. I could not eat meat before it made me gag (one of those taste bud things no one tells you about) and I am trying some bread now but it still makes me ill most of the time. I eat little breads or carbohydrates, little meat, no fried foods and I drink only water. This has been the hardest part of surgery for me. The adjusting to eating right. One day I may eat something and feel fine and the next day the same food may make me sick so you just never know.

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

Obesityhelp.com is my only support group but it has been my "ANGEL" through this whole ordeal. It has been able to answer all my questions and the people there are so helpful and caring.

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

About 12 inches long and very narrow. It runs from between my breasts to about 1 inch below my belly button. The 2 plastic surgeons I have seen both commented on the beautiful scar and how well my surgeon done on it so I am happy.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

They come and go, just be patient and they will go away kinda like an annoying fly. I hit a couple but they7 didn't last long and I really didn't do anything to break them except try to eat a little more and drink more to give my body that boost.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

YES! I now have people talk to me that never did before. The male attention is really surprising to me also. It is amusing to me that my 14 year old notices and gets so mad when another man is looking or flirting with me. (I have been obese his whole life) Then there is the negative where the Obese people don't really have anything to say to you anymore, and don't want to be around you because they think you've changed just because you've lost weight, or people tell you your too skinny (if only they knew what we'd been through), then there are those that are totally amazed and want to talk your ear off about it. So you will get all sorts of treatment, some good some bad.