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

My internist physician brought it up to me about 3 years before. At first I was kind of offended, I thought "wow, that is for really obese people". It was then that I started to realize that I was a "really obese person". My initial impressions of bariatric surgery were that it was pretty involved, and complicated. It really seemed to be a huge risk to take.

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

My insurance company initially denied me, and I appealled and was denied twice more. When I called my insurance to ask what to do next, they told me that I had no recourse after ebing denied that many times. I went ot our employee benefit board and they told me that indeed, I did have recourse and that I could appeal as many times as I wanted to. Finally out of desperation one day after receiving yet another denial letter, I called and said that I waaaas returning a call to the person that had signed the letter. They put me right through and I asked the woman, a nurse, just what I had to do to get approved. I explained my situation amd my health status, as far as the need to get the weight off if for no other reason becasue of my knee. I had been to my orthopedic physician and he told me that my left knee was needing surgery now. I told her that I had every reason to believe that it too, would break under the weight of my body after having the corrective surgery at this weight, and that if I could get the weight off there was a good chance that wouldn't have to have the surgery at all. I was approved within 3 weeks after that phone call, and I had actually given up at that point. My advise for theres would be to make sure that you have everything necessary the first time. Do not leave it up to you surgeons office to get your "insurance packett" together either. Chances are that they will be sending in things a little bit at a time, and the insurance company doesn't keep it all together and therefore will deny you based on the fact that you didn't submit evidence supporting the request. Get everything together yourself, and submit it all at once in one envelope yourself. Keep two copies of everthing and be prepared to resend it.

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

It was good, but at that point I was unsure about my insurance company so it was more of a fact finding meeting for me. I think that to make the most of the meeting a person just has to have all of thier questions written down so they don't forget to ask.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health, my weight had taken it's toll on my body. I couldn't keep going to my doctor with all of my problems and not do something to stop the weight gain. I finally came to the reealization that if I did not have this surgery that I wouldn't be around to see my grandchildren born. I realized that I was missing out on everything in life that I love, and that I had stopped living...I was just existing.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon helped me decide. He explained the different types of procedures and told me which one he suggested for me. I researched the type he wwwanted to do for me and decided that I would put my faith into him.

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 a lot of fears about both complications and dying. First of all, I have never been one that could go through anything without having some sort of complication. I fully expected that I would wake up after surgery and have something strange, but usual as far as a complication. I was so scared of dying during surgery or directly afterward, that I wrote letters to all of my family in case I did die. As it turned out, I didn't have even one little complication at all....NOTHING! I was so begging to go home from the hospital after the second day, feeling too great to stay there anymore.

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 family was very supportive, my husband and children were behind me from day one. My mom didn't really want me to do it, but supported my decision to go through with the surgery. I think that she was just scared for me. I told anyone who asked, and didn't hide it from even my co-workers. I received way more support than I could have possibly imagined having, from my family and friends.

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

My employer was very supportive. I work for an assisted living facility as assistant administrator. The corporation that manages our company was so great to me, never making me feel pressure to come back to work before I was ready. I did go back to work after only 1 week though, and I am glad that I did. I feel tha it really helped me get on with things, and put things in perspective. I had this surgery to get healthy, and to get back to living again. Going back to work so fast enabled me to get back to some sort of normal routine, and get on with things.

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

My hospital stay wwas pretty typical I think. I had to stay two nights, although I wanted to go home after the first night. I can't really think of anything that I considered really important to have there. The hospital provided everything that I needed.

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

No complications at all.

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 felt very anxious as the time for my surgery got nearer. I just kept busy at work and at home to make the time go by faster. I planned for the time that I would be home after surgery. I dep cleaned my house so I would be more comfortable.

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

I got depressed, I would watch tv and see all of the food commercials and wonder what I had done to myself. I napped alot to sope with the exhaustion, and depression. My husband helped me through this time by offering to go on walks with me after he came home from work, and by being very patient with me and my emotions.

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

I was very fortunate that I did not have to travel at all, my surgery was done just 5 minutes from my 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 was limited to liquids only for quite a while after surgery. I drank the protein drinks and drank a lot of water asI was told to do. The first food that I chose to eat from the list I was given was refried beans, I don't know why but it sounded so good. It made me so sick. I started with the soft foods and once O found something that worked for me I stuck with it. I was so suprised that some foods that I used to love now made me sick. I immidiately found that I could not, and still can not tolerate sugar at all. It makes me terribly sick so I avoid it at all costs. I have found many foods that have hidden sugar in them, all by trial and error.The food that has been my saving grace has been cottage cheese, it always settles and it is really good for me. I have been very strict with myself and eaten just protein like I was told to do. Now that 7 months have gone by and I have lost 130 pounds I am starting to experiment with adding new things to my diet. Some owrk, and some don't. I still always eat protein first though, and try the new things after.

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

I had a lot of energy after the first 2 weeks. I went for walks every day and I think that helped me a lot.

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

I take 2 childrens chewable vitamins and a calcium suppliment every single day, no matter what.

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?

The nasia is something that I have reallized might be part of my life forever, as far as how I feel when I have eaten something wrong for me. I have never vomited though and I feel extremely fortunate about that, as I have always been one to do that before surgery. I haven't had sleep disturbance either. Dumping I do have, and again, I know that I could have to deal with that forever, and that is ok with me. I look at it as a tool, if something makes me dump, like sugar I absolutely know that I cannot eat it. I only dump with things that I shouldn't eat anyway. I have lost a large amount of hair. It really bothered me when it first happened, and I though it was terrible. Now, I think that it is worth every little hair that has fallen out to be this healthy and happy. My hair will grow back, but I couldn't have gotten to this place withouth surgery.

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

I attend tow support groups each month. These groups are ery important to me, but I feel that I am helping otheres too by going. I remember when I was waiting for insurance approval, and attending the monthly meetings, the people that had already had surgery and that still came to the meetings were the inspriation I needed to keep fighting for coverage. Then after I was approved I was so excited to go to the meetings and tell everyone. The months waiting for my surgery date were filled with listening to others who were activly loosing and I learned a lot from them every month. I enjoy being one of the people that others model themselfs after now.

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

I have little scars from the Lap procedure that I had and they are fading more all of the time. I have had other Lap procedures before, so these are no big thing.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I haven't had any plateaus, the weight has simply slowed down now after 7 moths and 130 pounds, just as I was told it would.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Most definetly so. At first it made me mad, I though "hey, I am the same person I was before". I am getting used to it now though and I realize that it is just natural for people to notice the difference. I am the same person I was before indside, and I try to be sure that others know that too.