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

Three people in a row ask me if I would consider the surgery. I was told I would be pain free and I am. I was afraid of dying and afraid of not dying. So my initial impression was I would be one of these people that the surgery would not work on.

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

I had a lot of help from the approval board at Regency Blue Cross. My approval was taking place during HEPA and my doctors refused to give two more years of weight. MY husband retrieved my records and Regency accepted him reading them out. The letter of approval was like a blessing. What Hope was held in that paper.

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

I was confident that this was the doctor I wanted to use. I had friends in the medical profession check him out for me. I had read everything I could and was well informed. However, Dr. Wright is intimating and his job was to try me to see how determined I was. Be determined. Look for a surgeon that does the most surgeries of a particular kind in an area. Interview him, bring along questions. This is your journey-- be prepared!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to have a life again!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Open 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?

It is good to be afraid. It makes you prepare for the worst as well as the best. Fear is a great motivator. Fear of blood clots will get you off your seat and walking. Fear of not losing will make the small daily sacrifices worth while. Getting throught your fears will give you confidence and strength.

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 immediately came up with a hundred reasons why I shouldn't have the surgery. If I had to do it over I would have waited until a couple of days before the surgery to tell my family, they have not been supportive. My friends have been very supportive. From making me pureed leek soup to buying my fresh shrimp, my new lifestyle has been a challenge to support and encourage me that I would not always be on liquids, pureed, or soft foods.

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

This does not apply to me. However, I am a work at home couselor and it meant that I took off 12 weeks.

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

My stay in the hospital was uncomfortable. The bed was bent and therefore impossible to get comfortable in. There was a nursing shortage and my meds weren't given to me resulting in an uncomfortable few days of not only being drugged up with morphine but with the withdrawal from paxil making nightmares a part of sleep. The head nurse was cruel and wanted me to give her my orchid. More than a few of the nurses were sick.

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

I had psychotic reactions from withdrawal of paxil and neurintin. I worked hard to get home and talk with my psychologist.

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 was mad. I was convinced that I had made a terrible mistake. I took a antianxiety drug until I was out from under the withdrawal symptoms.

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

I felt like heck. I was tired and protective of myself. My bedroom was my sanctuary. I read a little. Watched a lot of TV. Made a collage. Got bored. At four months I look back on this period and realize that it is true, you are not who you were or who you are becoming. You are a coccoon. Be gentle with yourself and your feelings. Don't make rash decsions.

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

85 miles. I don't feel that this has affected my aftercare at all. The clinic staff are very good at giving advice over the phone.

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.

At first nothing tastes right so you just eat. The first month I ate things like soup, sf jello, avacado. The second month I added cottage cheese and bannanas, fat free refried beans and found a protein shake. I also had fish. Month three and four ahs been much the same. I still eat a lot of fat free and low fat cottage cheese, shrimp, chinese stir fry ( using water) and soup. I still can't tolerate eggs, rice, bread, pasta, chicken or milk.

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

Low and slow. My first shower was an ordeal. I had a hard time sleeping and handling my emotions aroound people.

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

I take one a day vitamins 2x per day, 2000units of Caltrate.

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 still vomit, have insomnia, dump. I think that the sleep disturbances are the worse but I keep busy and try to enjoy this very personal space that the insomnia affords me. I know that insomnia is not fatal just annoying. I cope by surfing the internet and watching late night tv.

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

The worse part about this process is learning patience. The worse part is learning how to enjoy my new lifestyle.

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

I continued with my therapy sessions for four months. My psychologist dismissed but left it so I could come back when I needed to. This site has been my lifeline.

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

It is about 10 inches long and presently red. I know it will get better. It looks like a tribal tattoo.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I experienced a plateau at six weeks. I weighed many times a day. The scales didn't move. I had my husband hide them.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People look at the food I eat. Some of my friends have changed the way they look at food too. I have lost 80 pounds, some people have teared up when they see me. The pride in my accomplishment shows.