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

In May of 2002 I started doing research on a surgical solution to my weight problem. My mother had her stomach stapled when I was young, so I had been exposed at a young age. I always knew it was an option for me, but I wanted to try every other way first.

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

I found a doctor in my area that was very well versed in getting approval for RYN surgeries. He had a VERY structured process you had to follow to letter. I had to see many specialist and have a lot of testing prior to the submission to my insurance company. I wrote my own personal "saga" also. My best advice is to get on the websites available to you and read. Most insurance companies are moving to paying for these surgeries. Find a doctor that has done this a lot. Their Insurance people know what needs to be submitted in order to get paid!

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

The first time I saw my doctor it was in a group meeting. You had to participate in one of their meetings in order to get an appointment with the doctor. This meeting gave you a chance to hear what the surgery is all about. It gave you the Good, bad, and ugly. The doctor gave a detailed presentation on what you could expect and the work it would take on your part to be sucessfull. I then made an appointment. He came in and made sure I understood what I was asking for. He gave me a quick physical exam and then put me on a weight loss program. He gave me time to ask questions, but most of them had been answered in that group meeting.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am 34 and I am tired of being over weight. I want a husband and children and I want to live past 50.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided to have the RNY. This is a malabsorbtive and malnutrition procedure. Your stomach is cut down to a 3oz pouch and it can not absorb all the calories from the food you consume. I needed a solution that would be drastic. I was 362 lbs and I felt like I needed the most perminent solution available to me.

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 actually wasnt too afraid of dying. I found the statics of death during this surgery and it was less than 1%. My doctor had even a better percentage than the national average. My main concern was being able to have children after the surgery. It would be 2 yrs before my doctor would let me get pregnant, but other than that...no problem. A good doctor is the best way to over come your fear of surgery.

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?

Family and friends were very supportive. I let them know I was doing the research and kept them updated as I got closer to my decision. After the surgery....they were amazing. They keep me motivated.

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

I had short term disablity so it was no big deal at work for the time off. I did not tell my boss what I was having, it was none of her business. I let them know I needed to have surgery. I wrote up a work plan for my time out and I was only out for 4 weeks. I could have gone back in 3 but my doctor wanted me to stay off that one more week.

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

I was in the hospital for 1.5 days. I had the surgery in the early morning and I was out the next evening. Dont bring anything. You will not want to read or look at magazines! The first day the anesthia keeps you down and the second day you should be up walking as much as possible. Get over your fear of your rear sticking out the back of a gown! Get up and walk!

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

I am doing very well. No problems with the surgery at all, BUT I follow my doctors orders.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

Knowing I had a date was the best feeling in the world. All that work I did to get there was finally paying off!!!! Anxiety....I guess I am different than most. It was only a positive thing up to the surgery. I had been planning it for about 2 yrs!

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

Coming home was the best thing. I stayed with my parents for the 1st week. I wanted to be all on one level. I had no pain. A little discomfort because I had the surgery Laproscopically. The gas they pump in you has to come out some way! Not very lady like, but you just cant help it! Walking was my doctor's main order. When I went out to walk I would get what I call a stitch in my side. The doctor said that was perfectly normal. Within the 2nd week I was bored to tears and wanted to go back to work. The only thing holding me back was the fact that I had to still drink everything and I didnt want my co-workers asking me a lot of questions. And my doctor wanted me home.

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

My doctor and the hospital where I had this done was an hour away. I dont like going all the way down there for my checkups but I dont miss them. Like I said. I follow all my doctor's orders.

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.

Going up the the surgery I was on a total liquid diet for the last 3 weeks prior to surgery. This reduces the size of the liver and made room for the doctor to do the surgery Lap. The first 4 weeks after surgery I was still on total liquid diet. This meant broth with protien powder, jello with protein powder, or a protien shake. Protien, protien, protien....I cant say it enough. You must take in about 70 grams of it a day. Now I have moved onto seafood, tofu, soft cheeses, and fish. I have cheated here a bit. I love chicken and I have eaten some chicken. You MUST chew up everything very well. The pouch opening is small and if you swallow big pieces you will know it. It is a bit painful. I can not eat anything with much sugar in it. I immediately feel nauses. High fat foods do that too! I concentrate on eating meat first. I am allowed 30grams of carbs so I occasionally will eat a tsp or 2 of mashed potatoes. Eggs will become you best friend. They go down easy and they are high in protien.

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

When I first came home I was a bit slow in my walking. I think it was more of me being afraid of hurting myself. Within 2 more days I was walking at normal speed. Weeks after the surgery...I go shopping, work, and play just like normal. I do find when it is really hot I get tired a bit quicker than normal. For me, I just get a drink of Crystal Light and keep going.

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

I actually take a ton more pills than before my surgery. I had no co-morbidities. Every morning I take: Antigall, B12 sublingual, B complex, Biotin, Prevacid, and Vit E. I take a multi-vitamin 4xday(Opti-source)made specifically for bariatric patients. The biotin and Vit E are for your hair loss and skin. The antigall is because I have my gallbladder and when you loses weight rapidly you can get gallstones. The B vitamins are for energy and energy turnover in your cells.

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 have never vomited. I am super careful when eating. I dont want to vomit so if I get even a tiny twinge from something I ate I STOP! I sleep like a baby. I do get nausia once in a while but that you can cope with. My hair is getting thinner. That is why I started taking Biotin and I have noticed the hair loss is a bit less. Just make sure you are getting the 70 grams of protien. That is the best cure!

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

The wait for surgery date.

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

I have a ton of groups available to me but I am not a group hug kind of girl. I do most things on my own. I do have great family and friend support. and I have a friend that has done this surgery too. We support eachother.

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

I have 5 tiny holes and they are disappearing more and more everyday. I suggest that if you are serious about this surgery you go out and find a surgeon that can do this Laproscopically. They can do it!!!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am about 6 weeks out from surgery. My weight loss is slow and steady. I try not to get too anxieous. I thought it would go off a bit fast but I am ok with 3-5 lbs a week. Dont get hung up on the numbers. How do you feel? I feel great, so I know I am moving forward slowly but surely. I didnt put on the weight in 6 weeks!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Not yet.