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

My aunt had a gastric bypass at Mayo Clinic in the mid 1970's.She lost the excess weight,but had some health issues,and regained the weight.She later died.I didn't consider WLS until about 10 months ago.I was reading my email and a banner ad from Barix Clinic came up.I was curious.I clicked on it to send for information.At this point,I was taking 7 different brands of medication a day.I talked to my husband about setting up a consultation.He supported my willingness to try.I have the best husband.After meeting with the surgeon,I knew this was the option for me.He explained the surgery,and the risks.I knew if I didn't do this,I was headed to the grave real fast.I never had any doubts or fears about the decision to have surgery.I was sold from the moment I left the clinic.I have not regretted my decision one bit.

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

My insurance policy stated that bariatric medication,surgery,or any type of weight loss intervention was not covered.So I knew from the start,we would need to rely on my husband's insurance.His insurance covered most of the cost.I'm primary on my insurance policy,and secondary on his.The funny thing is, we have the same insurance company,but different plans.I do not feel qualified to give advice because I didn't have to fight like some people do.What I can say is this-Do what you must do to get this surgery.You won't regret it.

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

I really enjoyed meeting my surgeon,Dr.Brian Boe.He has a great personality.He's very friendly,professional,knowledgeable,and he puts you at ease.He's honest about what the surgery entails,and the lifestyle changes that need to be made.He does this in a way that's honest,but not scary.I will forever be thankful that I had the surgery,and that Dr.Boe is my surgeon. I brought my husband with me to the consultation.There is tremendous information overload.I wanted to have someone there to help keep all the information straight,and so that I didn't leave anything out.I would highly recommend that patients bring someone with them to the consultation,if at all possible.Dr. Boe was able to answer all our questions and put both of us at ease.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Boe explained that he does the RNY procedure.He can do it Lap or Open.I was approved for lap,but decided I would rather have it done open.My decision came after hearing another surgeon speak about lap procedure.He said that it is more difficult to do lap on people who carry the bulk of their weight in their abdomen.I wanted to make it easy for my sugeon.I do not regret my decision.I do not plan on becomming a bellydancer,or a covergirl swimsuit model.The scar is an extremely small price to pay for all the health benefits I've already received.

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(and still am)completely confident in my surgeon,and in God.I didn't have any fears about the surgery.I more so feared staying overweight and dying young without doing"eveything possible."

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 husband was supportive from the very beginning.He understands the physical hardships I was enduring due to the excess weight.My parents were not as supportive (especially my mother).She was using my aunt as an example.My mother would know the one person out of millions who died as a result of the surgery.I took the opportunity to take her to a surgery seminar.After that,she was onboard with me.My friends were supportive.Since my surgery,my friends and family continue to be supportive.They praise my weight loss so far.They will "watchdog" me about my food choices.It sometimes gets on my nerves,but I know they mean well.I politely tell them that I'm okay.

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

My immediate supervisor was shocked when I told her about my decision.She did understand that I had alot of health issues from the excess weight.She supported my decision,and wished me well.I came back to work ,just 9 weeks to the day of my surgery.My incision didn't close until 7 weeks out.I could not return to work until I was completely closed.My work at the time required some lifting,and physical intervention with patients.

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

My surgery was on a tuesday morning.I went home friday afternoon.I enjoyed the fact that they only schedule a minimum amount of surgeries during a week.There was only 4 scheduled for my same day.The nurses and staff are very attentive to your needs.Because bariatric surgery is all they do at Barix Clinic,every need is anticipated.I rarely had to ask for anything.It was already there.

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

I didn't have any complications from the surgery itself,but my incision didn't close fully for 7 weeks.The surgeon checked it several times during the 7 weeks,and assured me that I was doing okay.

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 really didn't have any anxiety about the procedure.After meeting with my surgeon at the consultation,I was fully confident in our decision to have surgery.My surgeon fully explained the procedure,and aftercare.He stressed the importance of follow up care,and lifetime commitment that comes with using this tool for weightloss.The anxiety came only from dealing with the insurance company.

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

My first weeks home were all about learning new eating skills.

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

Barix Clinic in Belvidere,Illinois is approximately 25 min. east from our house.This is not even an issue for the awesome care I receive.

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

At first, my energy level was low,and I needed frequent naps.Gradually,my energy returned.I was back to full strength by 4 weeks.

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

Adult chewables(multivitamin) at first and protein shakes. At 6 months post op,multivitamin and calcium,and B complex and protein shakes,bars,drinks,

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

1) Dealing with insurance 2) Not drinking with meals(it's still hard for me,but I don't do it) 3) Crushing up nasty-tasting medicine(during 1st weeks post op,because I'm now med-free)YEAH!!!! 4) Dealing wth ignorant people who say,"You took the EASY way out"

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

I attend the Barix support group held each month at the clinic.It's held on the second monday of the month.It's lead by a nurse (and a bariatric patient)who works at Barix clinic.I find that to be very reassuring to me.I believe a good support group to be very important because I think we all need help no matter where we are in the process.

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

I have an 8 inch scar that stops 1 inch above my bellybutton.The last 2 inches have faded to a "pencil line".The upper 6 inches are about a quarter inch wide and keloid.I was originally approved for a lap incision,but I opted for an open.I'm not concerned about the scar.I'm not planning on becoming a swimsuit model at this stage in my life.I was more concerned with letting the surgeon have as much room as he needed to do my surgery,and to see what he needed to see.That was more important to me.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No.