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

My doctor told me it was time for something more drastic, and it was about a week before Carnie Wilson's appearance on Dateline. I saw that, found websites, and decided from there that yes, this was called for in dire circumstances -- and I was an ideal ("dire") candidate.

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

It was easy for me, but I did a lot of background (medical history) to be prepared, and the doctor's office staff did the rest.

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

My first visit was a glimmer of hope. Best thing to do is to do research online, and write up questions you may have. Be sure to write them down, because you won't remember off the cuff, and often you're overwhelmed with info on a first visit, and everything might not be answered in the documentation the doctor gives you.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was desperate. I was sure I was going to die, and soon, if I didn't.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Online research -- I wanted the Laproscopic banding at first, but needed the hernia repair also. Then I found out that someone I knew had had the surgery, and Dr Anez was her doctor, and I became convinced the RNY was my best bet.

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 so sure I was going to die on the table! The anesthesiologist introduced himself to me, and I immediately asked if he had ever lost anyone on the table. He said no, and I replied "Good, because you're the most important one here!". Then I asked the nurse(?) behind him, and she said no, then I was under. I gotta tell you, having that last minute reassurance helped. ASK your doctor about it, too -- don't be shy -- this is your life you're entrusting to them!

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 so supportive. After seeing me struggle and fail for years, and as much unhappiness as they've seen me go through, I couldn't have expected anything else. I'm so lucky! Me stepmom stayed with me for days. My teenage son has been very helpful. My whole family has been supportive and happy for me, and have been able to follow my progress online. I put up a web page -- for two reasons: 1) to help others going through the same thing; and 2) so I didn't have to answer the same questions 15 times!! They all appreciate it!

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

I told them everything -- they were very supportive. I planned on being out for a month, but was back at work after three weeks. I felt so much better and healthier than I have in years!!

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

See http://www.his.com/~rwells/rny.html for details. Make sure you bring a roomy robe!!

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

Only complication was a lot of pain, and the medication wasn't provided often enough in the hospital, so I wanted to get home so I could take it more often. I took 50mg Demerol every 2-2.5 hours, and was able to manage. The severe pain ended about day 4, but pain remained constant until day 8 for me.

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 rushed through my pre-op work -- I had to, since my insurance was changing. The day before and the morning of the surgery I thought "What the hell am I doing?", but I knew it was this, or the dead feeling I was stuck in. Just think about the alternative (not changing) and it'll help you get through any worries. I also attended the support group before my surgery, and it helped to hear that not one person regretted it!

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

You'll be weak. You can't wipe yourself after going to the bathroom. It helps to have someone take care of you, but I could have gotten along alone. My mom lent me a walker, and that helped me to get up and out of bed for the first day or two, but I didn't need it after that. Just get up and walk as much as you can -- and cough!! See http://www.his.com/~rwells/rny.html for details.

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

My hospital was close -- less than a half-hour away. I had no problems with before or 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.

See http://www.his.com/~rwells/rny.html for details. I've found that I can't eat Salmon, but I can eat ice cream and I have no dumping problems with sugar (drat!). I have to eat lots of fruit and veggies, or I'll have constipation or cramping when I have a BM. I can eat chicken and liver no problem. I had problems eating pork ribs, but found that if I coated my stomach with milk/yogurt/ice cream, I could eat it ok.

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

See http://www.his.com/~rwells/rny.html for details. I didn't start exercising until 12 days post-op, and started with 5 minutes on a treadmill.

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

I take two Flintstones chewables a day, and two Viactiv (calcium) a day -- don't take them at the same time -- they work against absorbtion of the other. I got needles and B12 in a bottle, and my mom gives me monthly shots (total cost for 1 year: $14.87). I'm sure it would have been about $15/month if I went to my doctor for the shots. I should be taking an iron supplement, too, but I've been eating a lot of liver, and haven't found a palatable iron supplement yet.

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?

I had no side effects except for diarrhea -- it took a while for my digestive sstem to get used to the foods I was trying to eat, and I found I couldn't eat yogurt every day (I have a lactose tolerance problem). I evened out about 10-12 days post-op, after I cut out the daily yogurt.

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

The worst part is that I wasted 20 years of my adult life morbidly obese, and didn't have this option (or it wasn't presented to me) earlier. As far as the real surgery process, the hardest thing for me is not being able to lift anything for a while -- I have a young teenage son who really tries to help, but he can't do everything, and it's really hard on him to have to do it all -- and we just had three back-to-back snowstorms, and I couldn't help shovel!

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

It's so important to have an after-care support group. You need to know that there are successes (I sat behind a size-8 woman at the last group, and she had before pictures, and weighed as much as me!), and you need to know what others have gone through. It helps to see the scars, or the abdominal binder in action, or even to hear what you can't eat (or what you can). We introduce ourselves at every meeting, and say how much we've lost -- and it's reassuring to hear the 100+ lbs successes, or to hear about the plateaus (which you're bound to hit sooner or later), or to hear someone else expressing the same frustrations you have. You don't feel alone. Without a support group, you're left wondering what's normal -- with a support group, you find that normal varies from person to person, but you're bound to find someone going through what you're going through (or someone who has been there).

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

I have a longer scar than usual -- mine is 12 inches, but it's because I had a hernia repair done at the same time. I expected a huge scar, but it's still a shock. I've even been toying with getting a tattoo over it eventually -- my Roux-En-Y Rose, maybe? I never thought I'd ever get a tattoo, but this was such a life-saving operation for me, I'm ready to announce it to the world!! Who cares about a scar, when I've been given my life back!! (And I'm only 5 weeks post-op!)

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've been hovering around a 30-lb loss for a week, but it's because I've learned I can eat ice cream and have no dumping problems! (Also, I was more enthusiastic about exercising earlier, but have had a hard time getting back on the treadmill lately -- I hate exercise, but enjoy being active, so eventually I hope to get back into playing tennis and softball for exercise). Anyway, I've decided not to buy any more ice cream, and not to weigh myself except at monthly doctor's visits -- I'm satisfied feeling that my clothing is getting loose!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I've gotten a lot of compliments, but I also cut my hair 11 days after surgery -- it's a whole new me. The biggest compliment is that I look so much healthier. I feel so much better -- it's showing in my face! I'm vibrant now, whereas before surgery, I was listless. I know, though, eventually, I'll start getting treated like a "skinny person" and that's going to take some mental adjustments. I'm so used to being ignored because I'm fat -- sooner or later the guys are going to start hitting on me, and that has me a little worried. I've never had to deal with that before, so I don't know how I will.