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

I was channel surfing on the TV and I kept hearing about Carnie Wilson so I surfed the internet about her and the "thought lightbulb" went off in my head which said "how bout checking into this?"...so I did. My initial impression was this is going to give me my life back---plain and simple. I know I can be active BUT I cannot control portion sizes. I can to a point but I always mess up. This will enable me to NOT mess up. I wont let it.

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

I started off with Aetna PPO and I advised the original surgeon that my company was changing insurance Dec 1, 2001 to Anthem BC/BS and I kept reiterating that fact. Aetna approved me on 11/16/01 but the surgeons office did not notify me until Dec 2nd and my insurance had changed. Luckily my company had a clause that stated any prior approvals would transfer with the new insurer. I was elated! But only for a brief moment as the surgeon declined to do my surgery--they wouldn't take my new insurance even though I had written approval. So I found Dr.McCarty (thank you God) and had to start pretty much all over. Went to January 2002 seminar--I kept on the insurance to get them the approval letter which they did. Had my consult in April and scheduled surgery June 4. My advice for people is to continue to call your insurance EVERY week. The more you bug them the more they'll want you taken care of and out of their hair!

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

The program my surgeon and his colleagues have set up is bar none (in my opinion). They have a dedicated staff and support system--both on the internet and each month. You can post messages to the surgeons and they will answer which I think is above and beyond the call of duty. Most importantly was I got the impression that they truly cared about us and wanted us to have a better quality of life. Most doctors see an obese person and are judgemental. I could go in for a paper cut and they'd tell me its due to my weight. People need to listen carefully--they also need to realize that this is not something that you can do if you are not committed to making the sacrifices necessary. There is a 15% chance of failure--but 85% success rate is pretty awesome. You have to know that your life may never be the same after this. When you go for your one on one consult you need to write down everything to ask the doctor--he will answer your questions and he will take 3 hours if you need that long to go over everything. No question is stupid.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I want my life back--period.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance originally had me slated for Open only RNY but 4 days prior to my surgery--my surgeon called the insurance company and somehow got them to approve Laproscopic RNY. As it turns out he said I was very lucky because apparently while doing the surgery he ran into "mesh" from my prior abdominoplasty and said that could've complicated things. So God was looking out for me.

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 actually didn't have the fears--I went into the OR very calmly. The Chaplain was there in preop and took my hand and said a lovely prayer. I had faith that God directed me to this surgeon and to this point in my life for a reason. I would tell others not to be afraid. MORBIDLY Obese is a scary enough term as it is. I think we all realize that the rate we are going we have to lose the weight or we will die perhaps sooner than we should.

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?

Back home only two people know what I've done. I will surprise the rest. Out here my friends and coworkers have been wonderful.

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

I have an odd situation---I live in TX but I work for someone on the East Coast. I've never met my boss or the people I support daily--I will be meeting them later this year. My boss knows I had "back surgery". I didn't feel they needed to know anymore than that--it is not something I'm proud of (the weight). I would like to meet them when I'm looking and feeling better about myself. I've met people before that were "disappointed" in my appearance although there was no romantic interest whatsoever--people are funny that way. Or prejudiced is probably more accurate. I had my surgery 6/4/02 was released from the hospital on 6/6/02 and had planned to work from home for the entire month BUT I only lasted one day--Monday 6/10 I worked from home and was soooo stir crazy and lonely that I went to work on 6/11 and have been working since!

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

my stay was great. I was originally slated for a private room but ended up sharing the room with another patient of Dr.McCarty's. In fact she had surgery directly after mine! When you have lap they fill you up with air so you really wanna get that air out....our nurse named us the "belching twins"!!! I had to stay an extra day cos I threw up my sugar free carnation instant breakfast and Dr.M didn't wanna take any chances. Important to bring--a small not too fluffy pillow so that if you when you get up and down from your bed you can clutch it to your stomach to ease the pain. Also if you sneeze or cough! Wiping yourself is difficult at first I didn't have a problem but larger people I've read about use tongs to wipe their hiney (sorry for bluntness). If you want to feel better faster you will get up and walk the halls as much as you can. It actually takes the pain away faster--though it does hurt at first so bring slippers!

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

No complications

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

When I first got my date I was very very anxious but then for whatever reason I totally settled down. I think because I've thought all positive thoughts---on June 4, 2002 I will start to get my life back. I went into the OR joking with the entire staff--I was not afraid or nervous whatsoever.

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

My friend took my dog while I was in the hospital and kept her for a couple weeks so I could heal. They didn't give me my paxil in the hospital so I was off it for a week and that threw me off balance a bit. Got out of the hospital on 6/6 and my friend drove me to the pharmacy to get my liquid pain med--ironically it was backordered!! On 6/7 I drove myself to the store and on 6/8 I drove back to the pharmacy (these were very short drives and I kept my pillow for my tummy with me!). I picked up the pain meds but never took it. I've noticed a lot of people stay off work for a long while--I'm not like that. I wanted back in the saddle--I dont like to be alone and bored. I had my pillow at work with me and after about a week home I was able to sleep on my side again and within 3 weeks I could sleep anyway I wanted. The only catch I had was without my "crutch" Paxil I was dizzy from the abrupt stoppage so that first weekend my friend brought my dog for a visit. They stayed an hour or so and then as she started to leave she saw my eyes fill with tears and I ended up crying for about an hour after she took my baby away but I got on the Paxil again that Monday and after a few days was back to normal.

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

The hospital is about a 35 minute drive.

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.

Weeks 1-2 I was on liquid diet---Lipton Chicken Broth was a lifesaver--its in a little box (cup of soup). Suger free jello and low fat/fat free pudding (jello and swiss miss), SF popsicles until I discoverd Dole no sugar fruit bars (grape, raspberry, strawberry), Blue Bunny healthy smart bars-no sugar and the Blue Bunny bomb pops (these have some sugar 9g) I tried protein shakes but didn't like them so I asked doctor if I could have cheese--he said yes. Weeks 3 til now I'm eating same as above plus I added tuna and crackers, eggs, eggbeaters, meat. At just over 8 weeks I can have anything but my problem has been eating too fast. I get this icky feeling and I know the only way to alleviate it is to throw up. If I eat s-l-o-w-l-y I am fine. Thus far I have no "off limit" foods.

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

pretty active---swimming and walking for the most part. Once the weight is down even more I plan on starting to play tennis.

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

I take a sublingual b12 once a week, 2 Flinstones Complete every day and 2 tums--though I've been fairly bad about the tums....note: do not take the tums and flinstones at the same time. Iron and Calcium cancel each other out!

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 dont like to vomit but its actually not been bad--if I eat too fast it comes up very easily--eating slow is the key on this.

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

Nothing.

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

I belong to the Baylor Buddies which is the program from my surgeon's office. I also have joined the Dallasites and there's a yahoo group for Protein that a friend helped me join. It is VERY important especially if you are like me--alone. I have a few close friends here now but they dont know what its like to be in my shoes. So its very important to have people that truly understand.

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

I have 6 incisions--the are all 1" or shorter in length. I expected the open procedure so it is much better than expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Thus far I've not really plateaued...I've taken 2 days to lose a half a pound. I'm hoping I can keep my system running without hitting too many bumps! (Please God?)

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No--my coworkers are nothing but supportive. Until about a week ago I really could tell a visual difference (I'm 45 lbs down) but others are saying they notice. I have been able to wear clothes that have been sitting in limbo in my closet which has me excited. I just cant wait to SEE with my own eyes....that's hard but I know its coming!