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

My sister had Open VBG in 1998. I looked into it and tried to get approval from my insurance company, but they denied me. After that I did not try again until 2000. It took them eight (8) months to approve the procedure.

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

My experience was extremely frustrating! The insurance company was such a pain. They sent me stupid letters saying that there were "treatments of a less aggressive nature that have not been tried and are required prior to approving this procedure". Like I have not tried every diet from A to Z! My advise to you is to be persistent. Per Federal statutes, an insurance company cannot deny you lifesaving benefits. If you have a doctor saying that this type of surgery will save your life and you meet the criteria, they cannot deny you. Stick to your guns and get ugly with them if you feel that it is necessary. When I threatened Pacificare with a lawsuit, they sat up and listened to what I had to say.

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

My first visit with Dr. Harberg was informative. He told me things that I never knew. He explained the procedure and how it is not and "end all and be all" but simply a tool. You still have to work to lose the weight, this just makes it easier. To get the most out of this visit, think about your questions and write them down. Do not ever think that you are going to ask a stupid question either. It is not stupid if you don't know the answer. This meeting is probably going to be the deciding factor on whether or not you use this surgeon. If you do not like his demeanor, do not use him/her. You have to be completely comfortable and have total confidence in this person because they are going to have your life in their hands.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was just tired of the being tired! I was so heavy that getting up to use the restroom was a chore. I could not walk, stand or even be on my feet for longer than a few seconds. Sitting was uncomfortable because it made my tail bone hurt. I just woke up one day and said "That's it!! I have had it!" I was killing myself everytime I over ate. I realized that I was going to die very young if I did not do something about this, so I did. It is the best thing that I have ever done, hands down!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My sister had VBG in 1998 and I have a couple of friends that had it. They were doing wonderfully, so I thought, if it worked for them, it will work for me. I conducted a little research on the RNY and I just did not feel comfortable with it. I do not like the idea of "dumping". I had also heard that there was a greater chance of death, but when I researched, I found out that this was not true. However, I had seen the results of VBG, so I decided to go with it.

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?

To tell you the truth, I went to the hospital with no fear. I was not worried about anything but getting thin and healthy! Unfortunately, it did not turn out that way. I have sleep apnea and when the doctor tried to rouse me from the anesthetic, I would not wake up or breathe on my own. They had to intubate me and place me in ICU for two days. Do not let that scare you, because it is very rare to have those kinds of problems, and I am fine now.

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 family was extremely supportive from the start. They saw how I was suffering and wanted me to do whatever I had to to get better. Some of my friends were a little hesitant about it, just because they were worried that something could happen. All in all, I had and still have wonderful, loving, supportive people in my life and that has helped me greatly.

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

When I told my employer, she was very happy. She was and still is very supportive. I am fortunate to work for a company that feels that you and your family come first, because they understand the importance of taking care of yourself and your family. I was off of work for about 12 week days. Including weekends, I was down for 18 days.

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

My hospital stay was O.K. I hated being in ICU with that tube down my throat, but other than that, it was fine. I was in for 3 days total. The most important thing to bring is a tooth brush and tooth paste!! I had packed mine, but because I was in ICU, I could not keep a bag there. When they took the tube from my throat, the first thing I wanted to do was brush my teeth, but unfortunately, my bag was with my mother and she was not there!! I asked the nurse for a tooth brush and tooth paste. I was happy until I got the bill for the things that my insurance company did not cover. That tooth brush and tooth paste was $15.00. I almost had a heart attack!! I only used it one time, then I used my own after that. Try to bring as much of your own personal stuff as possible, it won't cost you as much!!!

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

Once I was out of the woods, so to speak, because I could not breathe on my own, I was fine. There was a little pain, but not much. I would take my liquid pain medicine and it help alot. I was extremely weak for the first week after surgery. Everyone kept telling to walk, but I felt like I would fall if I walked too much, so I just did'nt. I do not recommend that though, I was lucky that I did not get blood clots in my legs!!!

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

As I stated before, I had no fear. I felt like I was on top of the world before my surgery date. I smiled all the time and I was just sooo happy and excited. I did get a little nervous at the hospital, just because I was having major surgery, but I still was not scared.

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

I was very weak!! I felt like a baby because I did not want to do anything for myself. I tend to be a bit of a wimp anyway, so that was not a surprise. I had to sleep in a recliner for the first week, because laying down flat, then trying to get up or turn over was almost impossible. There was a little pain, but not much and I took liquid pain medicine. The weakness is what bothered me the most.

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

I had the surgery in Houston, Texas which is about 30 miles from the little town that I live in. It did not affect my aftercare at all.

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 straight liquids for the first week. I had two ounces of clear liquid every hour. The first day I was able to eat solid food, my mother made me a 2 ounce chicken breast and a 2 ounce baked potato with a pat of butter. It took me all day to eat this very small meal. I was so scared I was going to be sick. Now, I eat pretty much whatever I want. I do not eat solid red meat, like steak, it is just too hard to digest. I stay away from real spicy or hot foods also, they tend to make me sick. Other than that I am pretty much okay with everything I eat.

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

The first week, I did not want to do anything! I was so weak I just wanted to sleep, which I did most of the time. The second week, I had a little more energy, but not much. By the third week, I had alot more energy and now two and a half months later, my son calls me the "energizer bunny"!! I am constantly going and doing things. It is just great!!!

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

I take a multi vitamin with iron every day and I take protein suppliments.

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?

Well, I am only two and a half months post-op, so I am still having the hair loss and vomiting. I lose quite a bit of hair, but fortunately I have alot of hair so it is not a problem. I do not vomit often, just when I eat something that is too rich or spicy, or I just eat too much. It is not very fun let me tell you!!

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

Being in ICU with that tube down my throat!!!! That was the worst experience I have ever had. Other than that, I think the life style change is the hardest. I miss big, greasy cheeseburgers and fries sometimes. The surgery takes away the physical need for large amounts of food, but not the mental longing. That is something you have to control yourself. It is not hard all the time, just sometimes.

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

I do not have one yet. I e-mail people from obesityhelp.com, but that is it. I have not felt that a support group was necessary so far, because my family and friends have been so supportive. I think that it is important to have people you can talk to and lean on.

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

Five inches of big, long UGLY!!!!!! Actually, I expected it to be worse, so I am quite happy. I keep lotion on it to keep it supple and, I am going to buy that stuff that helps it fade somewhat. It was worth it to be healthy, that is all I have to say.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had any yet. I lose about 4-5 pounds a week. I am sure I will plateau at some point, I just have not yet.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I get tired of people telling me how much weight I have lost! I know it sounds silly since that was the sole purpose for having this surgery, but I feel like they saying it just to say it. I weighed 435 lbs when I had my surgery. I have lost 62 lbs in two month. Granted that is alot of weight to lose, but when you have 250 lbs to lose, 62 lbs does not even knock a hole in it. Sorry, that is just how I feel.