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

I had read about it off an on, especially after hearing about celebraties like Roseanne and Carney Wilson who had the procedure done. I always would think to myself how luck they were to be able to afford the surgery. I honestly thought that there was no way I could ever get approval for the surgery even with my health problems. I still sometimes remain sceptical...I am waiting for approval now.

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

I am still waiting for approval but I am getting closer to it. I have found that the way insurances go about doing this differs alot. My insurance, Humana HMO requires that I have all my office visits before approval and that all information be sent in to get that approval. So you get all your referrals, surgeon, psych,nutritionist, 2nd surgical...go to your appts and then at the end of it all the surgeon submits his letter of necessity and all the stuff that was gathered. Try and find out in advance how your insurance operates. I was totally confused at 1st because people were posting that they had approval and were waiting to see nutritionists etc.

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

My 1st meeting was a bit cut and dry. 1st of all I had been told that my appt was at 4:00pm and when I got there they told me that I was lat e that my appt was at 3:00. So I was the last patient the dr saw and I felt that our meeting was rushed. He explained the procedure and gave me a pamphlet about it and then asked me why I wanted to have the surgery. We talked about the risks involved. He then told me that I had to see several other people and that he would be writing to the insurance for approval. I walked away from that appt just basically confirming everything that I had alreadylearned from the internet and my own research. But I didn't have a clue about what I had to do next. Best advice, walk into your 1st appt knowing how your insurance handles approval and dont walk out of that 1st appt without knowing details of what your next step should be.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

In Nov of 2000, I had a severe bout w/pneumonia. I was hospitalized for over a week. My body just crashed during that illness. I guess this was the straw that broke the camels back. My diabetes worsened to the point that I am now on insulin. Insulin is causing me to gain even more weight. I weigh more than I have ever weighed in my life now. I am scared that I will gain so much weight that I will not be able to function. I do not want to die a slow death from, failed kidneys, lost limbs, lost eyesight, infections that do not heal.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew through my research that the RNY has been the procedure with the most success so far. In San Antonio, TX there is one major group of bariatric surgeons that do RNYs both open and lap. They have a 17 month waiting list for a 1st consult! I was luck to find out through a local support group about another group of surgeons that has started doing RNYs...they only do open and I think I would have to have an open regardless because of previous surgical scars.

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?

Well, I am still preop and hopefully I will be able to come back after surgery and update this answer. I have survived many things in my life. Emergency gall bladder removal, cervical cancer-hysterectomy. Pneumonia 3 times. I am older now 40yo and I am a bit worried about not being able to bounce back from this surgery as well as I have before. But what future do I have before me if I continue on my present course, what quality of life will I have 10 years from now if I do not do this. Finally, I have great faith in my God above. "God has not given me the spirit of fear, but that of power and of love and of a sound mind."(2Tim. 1:7) I have a family that needs me and God will provide!

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?

I am lucky in that my family is very supportive of anything I choose to do. They just aren't very strong. I am the strong one in my family. I keep them going. We do not talk very much about my decision, but I know they will be there for me when my day comes. I rely heavily on support from AMOS and from the OSSG-SA group through yahoo groups. A great bunch of people who understand because they have been there. That is the best kind of support.

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

I am blessed to work in a place that will bend over backwards to stand behind you in everything you need. My boss is just super. She is always ready to lend me an ear to hear about where I am in my process. I have been ill so much lately that I have used up all my sick and vacation time. I am not too worried about this because I know they will work with me if I need to take extra time off. Still I am hoping that I will be able to return to work as soon as possible. I do very sedintary work.

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

My stay in the Hosp was better than I expected. I had heard stories of how hard it was to get good care at Univ Hosp because it is so big. I was sent home on the 5th day could have left on the 4th but I still felt a bit weak. I was in ICU for 2 days due to a fever, but had no leaks, passed the swallow test OK. I prepared more for the hospital than I needed. Only used a robe over the hospital gowns when I walked. Did find using a wooden spoon w/wetwipes useful in wiping after going potty <smile>

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

I had a fever for 2 days about 102/101 was kept off of any food/water til after an MRI confirmed no leaks. I think the fever was because I was just too hot in a special bed they were trying on me. It was rubbery material and you just sunk into it. Back never hurt me though so the bed had it's plus side.

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

Well I had gotten a surgery date in Dec then it was changed because I needed to see a couple of specialists. It was hard to remain patient though out all this. Once I got a surgery date, surgery was just 2 weeks later giving me little time to remain anxious. I had to concentrate on my High Blood Pressure and that was very frustrating.

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

My 1st 2 weeks were like a dream. I was lucky to have my aunt take care of me. I would get tired very easily. Felt strange to really be post-op, almost unreal. My family has had a hard time adjusting to my new style of eating. They feel guilty eating regularly and even cooking for themselves (my husband especially who does most of the cooking. 3rd week was better and I had to go back to work. This is my 4th week and each week seems better than the previous one.

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

Same city...not far at all under 20 miles.

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 was on full-liquids when I left the hospital. Pureed for weeks 2-3 and told to introduce finely ground meats in my 3rd week. I am still learning to eat slow and small bites. If I dont I have problems and have to throw up. Ground up meats are still not going down well in my 4th week. Grease is no longer my friend. I tried a small shrimp & egg patty that is fried (a lent specialty) I was immediately sick. It is a trial and error learning experience. cream soups, cottage cheese, gerber baby meat sticks, tuna w/lots of low fat mayo are my favorite.

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

weeks 1-2 I was very slow walked around the house mostly. Week 3 started walking up and down the block and went back to work mid-week. The 1st day was a doosy. 4th week...walked the aisles at walmart no problem <smile>

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

I am taking flintstones chewables, B12 sublingual, and carnation instant breakfast for extra protein between meals.

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?

vomiting if I eat too fast or food that sits to heavy in my pouch is the worst at 4 weeks post-op. I also had some problems getting back to sleeping straight through the night, this has gotten better by 4 weeks.

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

Most definetely the surgery prep in the hospital because of my High Blood pressure problems.

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

There is a local WLS support group both online through yahoo and with monthly meetings. It is vitally important, because these people can truly relate to what one is going through. They kept me going pre-op and still do now.

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

My scar is about 12 inches from beneath my breast thru my belly button. It is very thin and I do have the staple scars running down either side. It is actually a much thinner line than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I had a small plateau for about 2 weeks at about 5 weeks post op. But previous to that I had lost 12 lbs in one week because of a flu I had...so I think my body was just trying to catch up

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes people are starting to treat me differently. Some folks seem jealous,especially my overweight friends and coworkers...they talk to me less. I can see more people making direct eye contact with me and if I smile they smile back. I am getting complements and even questions about how I am losing weight.