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

I first heard about the Gastric Bypass (Roux) in the fall of 1998. In February of 1999 I went to a wellknown practice for a "consultation" where they took my money and then said, more or less, "too bad, so sad" when my insurance would not cover it.

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

I went through a 7 year nightmare trying to get my insurance to cover it...first the bypass, then the lapband when I learned of it...but my company is self insured, so I was in essence fighting my employer. It was depressing. If I could offer any warning to people...contact your insurance company before you spend hundreds on a consultation. I was promised by the first practice I saw that they would help me fight it...they did not. When my husband changed jobs and picked up our insurance, the FIRST thing I did was call and ask if they covered surgical treatments for morbid obesity. They said it was not an exclusion, so I was finally on my way!!!

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

I did not visit every practice I spoke with, and I did not select the first practice I visited. Do your homework, particularly for lapband patients. When Dr. McEwen told me he considered us "his patients for the rest of our lives" I knew I'd found the right place. Educate yourself online, ask to speak with post-op patients. Ask them to describe the most negative patient they've experienced, without betraying identity and confidentiality, of course. Ask open ended questions, not yes and no questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

As soon as I learned about the lapband, I knew it was for me. I vowed that if I could ever get it through my insurance, I would have it done.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I researched a lot on the internet, and I made a lot of phone calls and talked to people who were post-op.

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'd had 3 major procedures in 6 years before my lapband: A laminectomy, a complete hysterectomy, and half of my thyroid out. I was very aware of the risks of ANY surgery requiring general anesthesia. It is normal to be nervous or fearful beforehand. You just have to balance the fears against what will happen if you don't have the procedure. I selected the lapband because of my concerns of surgical and long term complications that could significantly hinder the quality of life.

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 had mixed feelings when I started looking into the bypass. He was very comfortable with the lapband. My friends and family have been for the most part supportive...but those who weren't supportive of all my other attempts to lose were the same way with this. Negative people are going to be negative and you can't stop that. You can only control your reaction to their negativity. I've turned into a lapband recruiter, sharing my experience with everyone who will listen.

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

At first I planned to keep it a big secret, but then I thought I might be able to make a real difference in peoples' lives if I were candid about this. I told my immediate supervisor initially that I was going to have to have my gall bladder out...a couple of weeks later, I told him the truth. He and his supervisor were both accomodating and supportive. In fact, my progress has become a fun little game with some co-workers in other departments. We measure the width of my bottom with a yardstick and snap a picture to mark my progress. I was off 3 days before returning. I have an hour commute and experienced some tiredness...getting back on the protein shakes helped immediately.

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

I went to the Indiana Surgical Center, a division of Community Hospital. It was more like a nice hotel than a hospital... It looked NOTHING like a hospital, from furnishings to accomodations...they made my family as comfortable as I was. The staff was very professional without losing their personality...obviously a good "mix" of folks who work well together.

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

I have had 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?

I misunderstood the dietary instructions and stayed on clear liquids too long...not a problem until I tried to go back to work and became EXHAUSTED the second day back (6 days post-op) A quick phone call to Dr. McEwen's office and one protein shake later, I was FINE. So I'd recommend to people to carry a protein shake with them to sip if they go back to work as quickly as I did. I was too excited to be anxious.

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

RAPID weightlosss...until the swelling went down...then I plateau'd. That's why aftercare is so important. We're doing our fills now, getting me "dialed in." The significant thing is...I didn't regain. I hit the 50 lb mark, where I always stumble, and I have not regained. Eating out is a big deal for my husband. He likes buffets. I get a "to go" portion and weigh it (pay by the pound of food), or at regular restaurants, I get the childs' portion.

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

I drive 3 hours, over a hundred miles one way. It is worth it to have the quality of care I have received.

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 could eat basically anything I chewed the dickens out of. As my band loosens as the swelling goes down, I've found that I don't have to be as careful...but the fills will take care of that. So I am probably not far enough out to give a good opinion of this.

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

I am more phyiscally active...I still have to be careful because of other physical conditions...I've "overdone" it several times because I feel so good that I don't consider my back trouble...

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

I take protein, calcium, and fiber supplements. The calcium I've taken since my hysterectomy; the protein since my pre-op diet, and the fiber...since the protein. One might experience...let's say difficulties one has never had before when one eats mostly proteins...(Commonly known as, I couldn't poop.)

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?

Uhm, see above.... it would have to be not being able to poop from all the protein...they persisted until I started taking a fiber supplement. I've stayed on it...it wasn't the kind of experience I wanted to revisit...

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

The frustration of fighting my insurance company.

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

We meet monthly for weigh in and support group at our surgeon's office.

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

Typical laparoscopic scars, very small and exactly where I figured they would be.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plateau'd in October, about 6 weeks post op. I should have gotten a fill at that point, but I wanted to see what would happen. I'd been losing since 6 weeks PRE-op and was down 50 lbs... It was discouraging, but i look at it this way: I did not regain my lost weight. The band is a behavior modification tool, and it is working because I did not regain my weight.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, not really. I've always been outgoing and I've always loved life and liked people...I guess I loved everyone but me. That's where the difference has been.