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

I knew a few people who had it done. My initial impression was that it was a cosmetic surgery that insurance wouldn't cover, and therefore was yet another thing reserved for the rich. Once I found out that insurance DID cover it (from my primary care physician), I started educating myself, and realized how ignorant I had been.

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

My insurance approved me immediately, as soon as they had the information they required (five year history of morbid obesity, documented in medical records; history of medically supervised diet attempts which failed; psychological clearance). I would recommend that if you are considering this surgery, see your physician. Get checked out and make sure that there aren't medical reasons behind your obesity (like a thyroid problem). Not only is this medically sensible, but it shows insurance (and the surgical program) that you are, and have been, serious about your weight problem and have tried conservative, sensible means of addressing it before considering surgery, which let's face it, is a drastic measure.

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

My first meeting was productive, but in my program (through the Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery), you have to attend an informational/educational seminar before you can even have a consultation. If you are looking at surgery through another program which is perhaps not as intensive in pre-surgical education, I would recommend doing a LOT of research on your own first (internet is great for this). Find out about the specific procedures, and then compile a list of questions, and take it with you for your appointment.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I knew I was never going to conquer this on my own, I was getting progressively heavier, and I wanted my life back before I encountered serious, perhaps deadly health complications.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Well, the RNY is the only procedure that the Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery performs - it's also the gold standard with a very high success rate, and I wanted to go with the "tried and true" and not something newer or more experimental.

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 had many anxieties about complications - even about dying. But I also knew that I was relatively healthy (no diabetes, for instance), and that even though I was morbidly obese, I was still one of the "lightweights" - meaning I was still at the lower end of MO. I did my research, the Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery was VERY stringent about their preoperative testing and education, so although I was prepared for complications, I was also confident. As it turns out, I didn't have any complications, and have been quite happy.

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?

Absolutely everyone I talked to was supportive. I expected more resistance, and was pleasantly surprised to have so much support and enthusiasm. I would say that the most common reaction among my co-workers and acquaintences was that they didn't think I was fat enough for the surgery. However, at 125 pounds over my ideal body weight, I certainly qualified.

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

Very supportive. I just told them that I was considering bariatric surgery (again, got the response that they didn't realize I was heavy enough). They took me out to lunch two days before my surgery to "say goodbye" to my stomach, ha, ha. I was off work for 4 weeks - covered by short term disability.

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

My hospital stay was fine. I was there for 3.5 days. At the Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery, they have a whole floor at St. Vincent Charity Hospital devoted to bariatric patients, so the staff were extremely knowledgeable in this type of surgery and post operative patient. Also, each patient had a private room. I brought a bunch of stuff and never ended up using half of it. I would say bring your personal toiletries and sleepwear - otherwise, the less you bring, the less you have to tote home...

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?

Very excited and scared. I coped by talking with lots of people about it (the oposite of many folks, who keep it very private).

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

Tired and sore, but otherwise fine. I would advise people to expect to be out of commission for a while, and not be frustrated by it. Do as much as you can, push the envelope a little bit (in terms of activity - respecting lifting restrictions, of course), and you will find that you recuperate really pretty quickly.

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

About an hour from home.

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 am only six weeks out right now (March 2003), so can't answer this too well right now. We were on pureed foods (low sugar) for 4 weeks, then soft solids. I have tolerated the soft solids well - again, avoiding sugars, and also avoid red meats and soft white bread.

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

At first, very slow moving - then getting progressively better. The more I pushed (without overdoing), the better I felt, and the easier it became. At six weeks post op open RNY, I'm pretty much back to my normal activities, including taking care of the barn and horses, and will be resuming riding this week.

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

Iron, multivitamin, calcium, B12.

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?

Only six weeks out, and haven't had any problems (but have been very respectful of the eating guidelines, too). Would feel a bit of nausea of I eat too much or too fast.

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

The pain and disruption in my self-sufficiency. But both of those were short-lived, and I expected them, so it was easier to deal with.

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

The support groups through the CCBS (Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery). I mostly read comments and posts, and don't interact too much (I'm not terribly social that way), but it's been very helpful.

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

My scar runs from my sternum to just to the right of my navel. It's nicer-looking than I expected - quite clean and tidy, especially toward the top. It is about what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Haven't had any yet, although I'm sure I will. I'm only 6 weeks out, so hopefully I won't have a plateau for a while yet. At six months, I still have not had a plateau. Still losing slowly and steadily, about a pound or two a week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Nope. Just happy to see me back and wanting to know how I'm doing - and lots of questions about the surgery. At six months, I sitll don't notice people treating me differently - people DO notice the weight coming off, and comment about it (and want to know about the surgery, etc.), but other than that, I don't feel like I'm treated any "better" or differently than before.