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

I honestly do not remember how I found out about bariatric surgery. I have been looking in to it for a year now - right after I decided not to spend any more money on Weight Watchers or anything else that would not help me permanently. I think I just went on-line and searched under obesity. My initial reaction was "No Way!". But the more and more I searched the internet, the more interested I became. I then found out that there are several ladies working at the company who have had the surgery and are delighted with the results. I woke up early one morning in January, 2002 and knew that this was for me. . .despite another surgery and all that goes alone with it. I have had it with being fat! I want the person I used to be and will be again back!

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

Obtaining insurance approval has been a nightmare for me! I am covered under CIGNA HMO and no one wants to work with an HMO. While Dr. Alexander's staff fought very hard for me, I am completely convinced that the approval came from my previous leg-work and providing complete documentation why I need this surgery. I don't think I would have received any approval had I not done all this work. It was very hard and frustrating, but don't give up. Just provide the information necessary.

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

My initial consultation with Dr. Alexander was a very enlightening and informative session. I felt very comfortable talking to him about all of my issues with my weight. Not once did he make me feel bad about myself and give me enouragement to work hard with the insurance company to receive approval. The best way, for me, to get the most from this meeting is make a list of questions and/or concerns - write them down. During the visit read the questions from your list and write the answers down at that time. Dr. Alexander certainly did not mind and felt it was an excellent idea. Being prepared takes some of the edge off of your nervousness.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

As I stated previously, I have been researching this for a year now and I know it is the answer for me. It may not be for everyone because you have to change your mindset and eating habits. If you don't, the surgery will not work. You will stretch out your stomach and regain the weight. I woke up early one morning in January and just knew this was for me. Stop thinking about it and you will find your answer.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor only performs the RNY.

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 was very fearful of the surgery, but had great faith in my surgeon. That is the key...you have to have complete trust in your surgeon. I had attended one pre-op seminar where the surgeon had only done approximately 150 of the RNY surgery and had already lost one patinet. Rather then saying it was unfortunate and expressing empathy, he said that he was still within his quota with the average being 1 in 200! That was it for me with him! I immediately got up and left - I was not going to risk being #2!

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

I was fired on other, unwarranted charges one week after I told my Vice President of my up-coming surgery. Since Texas is a right-to-work state, there was nothing I could do...believe me, I check it out with lawyers. I had been with the company for 10.5 years and was - and still am - very angry about the whole thing. I had the surgery before finding another job so I did not miss any work.

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

My hospital stay was as good as can be expected. I had a wonderful, male nurse who was just outstanding! He was very attentive, he explained everything to me that I asked about. Of course, there wasn't any food until I was released three days after my surgery and then only clear liquids. I had to return to the hospital the day after I was released because of extreme dehydration. I was in the hospital for a week the second time. Again, this nurse took excellent care of me and made all my fears go away. The only two things I really used that I brought with me were my WLS Bari-Bear that I used when coughing or trying to move and my toothbrush and toothpaste - oh yes, and my hairbrush. Everything else I brought stayed in my overnight case!

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

My surgeon experienced complications while performing my surgery that really did not effect me at all other then the surgery took twice as long as normal. The only effect it had on me is that he had to make my incision longer then normal. He usually makes about a 3 inch incision and mine is about 6 inches.

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 went through a lot of negative emotions. My "friend" food was no longer my friend to turn to in times of stress. I had some real issues dealing with this and adjusting. I also had a very difficult time with the crushing of the medications I need to take on a daily basis - they tasted awful crushed! I had a lot of anxiety and even begged my surgeon to reverse the procedure. What a fool! This is the BEST thing I have ever done for myself!

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

I lost all interest in food completely. Everything I ate tasted the same and I had to remember to eat something. I had (and still have) problems with not drinking while I am eating. This has been very difficult since I used to drink large amounts of liquid while eating. Don't expect much...just follow what your surgeon tells you to do and not to do and you will be fine.

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

I only travelled about 35 miles to have my surgery. This did not present any problems whatsoever.

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 can basically eat anything my stomach will handle - in very small portions. For me, I know after the first bite if it's going to be OK or not. I am not able to eat corn at all - which I love. I have difficulty with anything with a skin or membrane - beans, oranges, grapes, etc. But if I am careful or remove the skin, I am fine.

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

I currently take the vitamins offered throught the WLS web sight. They are a powdered formula that Barbara Thompson found and I think they are wonderful! They give me the vitamins and minerals I need and make me feel great!

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?

The nausia and dumping were the worst for me. I only dumped a couple of times - but that was too much. I didn't have a lot of hair loss since I immediately began taking the Biotin-2500 which I am a firm believer help me keep my hair!

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

Learning to eat what I can and not overeat. I obviously didn't gain the weight by eating small portions! I continue to learn when enough is enough and have to stop.

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

I do not attend any support group or program.

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

As I indicated, my scar is about 6 inches - twice what I thought it was going to be but that was due to the complications the surgeon exerienced. The upper portion healed very well and is quite smooth. The bottom portion, where he extended the incision, did not heal as flat and nicely as the upper portion. I used Meredia as soon as I was able to afterwards and it helped.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Ever since the surgery, I plateau for two weeks out of the month. I only lose for two weeks and then nothing for two. At first this was very distressing because I didn't understand that this was just the way my body was going to handle the weight loss and I thought that if this was all, why did I bother to have the surgery. I lose about 16 pounds a month so that's not too bad!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, my family is more accepting of what I am doing with my life. I feel better about myself and this shows in all my actions.