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

I knew a few people who had some type of bariatric surgery done and never really thought it would be for me. Finally, one day I woke up and decided that enough was enough. I tried many times to lose the weight and after I had my daughter, it became almost impossible. I called BTC and started the procedure as soon as possible. I now feel it is the tool I need to become and stay healthy.

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

Bariatric Treatment Center handled everything for me. Although, I did learn that Blue Cross Blue Sheild changed their policy as of September 1, 2000. They are no longer giving pre-approvals. They will review your case AFTER the surgery is performed and it is then when they will decided if they will pay or if it will come out of the patients pocket. I was not afraid of this due to the fact that I already had a pre-approval from my secondary insurance, Michigan Teamsters Welfare Fund (BC/BS PPOM), before they changed their policy.

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

Dr. Batay-Csorba seemed friendly but very rehearsed when it came to describing the proceedure. He answered all my questions fully and I didn't feel as if he was rushing me.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Keeping up with my 2-year-old daughter became very difficult. I would like to be more involved in her life especailly when she becomes older. I no longer can tie my shoes without pain shooting down my spine. I want to decrease the chances of becoming diabetic or having high blood pressure, heart disease. I have decided that enough is enough.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Open RNY is the only proceedure that Bariatric Treatment Center does.

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?

Like everyone, the fears were there. But I just finally told myself that whatever was to happen, I would figure out a way to overcome them the best way I knew how. But, Thank God, I haven't had any complications. I'm able to eat just about anything I want and with those few foods I can't, especially those with a high content of high fructose corn syrup, I just stay away from them.

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 friends and family were mostly concerned due to the fact that they were not educated. While waiting for my suregery date, I made it a point to educate them with the information I aquired from educating myself.

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

The hospital stay was fine. The only complaint I had was they had given me a binder that was to small and it took me forever to get one that fit correctly. I was there from Wednesday to Saturday. Make sure to take things with you to keep yourself busy if, like my room, they don't provide any television.

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

None.

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 only had a few days of depression where I would cry for no reason. Which is what I did. I cried it out.

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

The first couple weeks was rough. My mother was staying with me to help and she came down sick and wasn't able to do as much as she wished. Therefore, made me get up and moving a bit earlier than I wanted. But I made sure to take things slow and easy when it came to tending to my 2 1/2 year old daughter. When I was a month post-op I was finally feeling back to normal besides the cabin fever.

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

30 minutes

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.

The first week was nothing but clear liquids. To this day I can't smell chicken broth. The second week was full liquids. To this day I can't stand to look at strained split pea, cream of potato, or bean and bacon soup. Most of the stuff I was able to eat was sweet. Pineapple juice, peach nectar, chocolate instant breakfast, vanilla protein drink, etc. After the two weeks on that I was way ready for the pureed foods where I could add lots of variety. I make myself tuna fish with low fat mayo, reduced fat corned beef hash (high protein), turkey chili (really high in protein), orange roughy and whitefish, etc. I haven't had any problems keeping food down. To date (12/7/00) I'm eating about a cup of food 6 times a day.

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

It took me about a month for my energy level to almost reach normal.

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

I have to take 2 Bugs Bunny Sugar Free Vitamins a day and Zantac for the first 6 weeks twice a day.

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 did have a little nausia when they removed my IV and sometimes when I shock my system with something real cold. I also start to become a little nausia when I first start becoming hungry. I haven't had any dumping, knock on wood. Potatos have a tendency to cause gas. Which GasX works well for that.

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

The pain when I first woke up.

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

I don't have any.

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

My scar, due to my dark complection, looks suprising good. It doesn't bother me at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Well, being a year and 5 months out, I have hit, not what I think is a plateau, but the weight I'm suppose to be at. I fluctuate from 160 to 165. I think if I was able to really stick with a nice aerobic workout, I would probably lose the remaining 15-20lbs that I would like to lose. I'm also considering, at this time, to see about maybe having the extra skin on my stomach removed and I think that would help in removing an extra 5lbs or so.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh but of course. It's nice to feel like I'm actually in a room and part of the crowd.