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

A friend at work needed me to print off some information for her. I of course read it before giving it to her. I am also an old gastric stapling patient so I knew a small amount around having weight loss surgery.

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

I was denied twice by Blue Cross/Blue Shield before I was finally approved. They wanted extra lab tests and for me to see the dietician, which I had, but somehow they didn't seem to be able to find that information. They also wanted me to join a gym. Then I was denied because of the psychological evaluation. The Psychologist felt that I was depressed and needed to go back on an anti-depressant. I went back on the medicine and several months later had a re-evaluation with her and she gave a positive note to Blue Cross. I was then approved. Make sure you have all your information and the insurance company is more likely to approve you.

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

Dr. Denning answered all my questions and explained to me what type of surgery he does and what test he would have to perform before he'd approve doing the surgery. I was an old gastric stapling and he had to do a Upper GI Endoscopy to check out the stomach. He approved me after the Upper GI.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I have horrible legs and the the fear of loosing them was greater than the fear of surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The local physican only does the Open RNY gastric bypass.

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 worry about bowel obstructions and infections. I was not afraid of dying during surgery because I would have been asleep and not known anything about it until I smiled up at my beautiful Angels. What I would tell others: make sure you are well educated about this surgery, the good and the bad. Things can go wrong and if they don't, that's great. You also need to rememeber that you are a big part of your recovery. Keep positive, no matter how much it hurts. Walk as much as possible and tell yourself constantly, it will get better and its all worth it.

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?

I have two sisters who felt I was doing the right thing. My brother never said one way or the other, but I know he thought I was crazy. I have another sister who wasn't totally for the surgery, but she kept most of her opinion to herself. I know she was worried about something happening to me. She is concerned about my horrible legs and me loosing them, but felt that I could try weight loss programs again without getting drastic and having surgery. She has been very supportive though and took care of me the week after I was released from the hospital. I love her very much and could not want a better sister.

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

My supervisor felt this was the right thing for me if that was what I really wanted to do. I've ask for 6 weeks leave and did not have a problem getting approved.

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

Everyone at Cabell Huntington Hospital was great. I was there for 6 days. I would have been discharged sooner, but my surgery was delayed a day and a half because my potassium was low.

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

No complications so far.

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 was nervous and worried that something would happen and I'd not get to have the surgery. The day before I was suppose to have surgery, I was told that my potassium as low and the surgery would be cancelled if I wasn't able to raise it. The next day when I was in the hospital getting ready for surgery,they told me it was cancelled because of the potassium being even lower. I felt like crawling under a rock. I laid in that hospital bed until 8:00 p.m. the next night waiting to be told to get up, get dressed and get out. Of course that didn't happen. John, a male nurse kept coming in and telling me everything was still a go.

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

My first few nights were hard because my back hurt. I'm not sure why, but after talking with other patients, I'd say it was due to things being moved around during surgery, maybe even being a little bruised and the trauma alone of having things cut and stapled. Sleeping in the recliner helped. I was fortunate and didn't take pain medication after I left the hospital. Yes, I hurt, but told myself that it wasn't bad enough to take anything. I was also dozing off a great deal and thought the pain killer would make it worse. I wanted to be awake and get up and move around. Wearing my binder helped. I wore it for the first six weeks.

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

10 miles

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.

So far I've been able to eat almost everything that I tried. I have watched my sugar intake and keep it low enough that I've not had dumping. I have only thrown up once and I'm not sure if it was because I accidentally ate a small piece of fat or if it was because I'd gotten to hot before I ate. I've noticed that I can eat a little more now that I'm almost 5 months out. It's not a large amount, but enough that I'm keeping watch over it. I don't want to fall back into the old eating habits.

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

At first my activity level was extremely low. I was tired and wanted to sleep a great deal. I'm moving around better and walking some at lunch time. I'm not up to any great distance, but its certainly better than it was 62 pounds ago.

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

Calcium Citrate B12 Zinc Proteinex (liquid protein) Multi vitamin Liquid Potassium (doctor prescribed) take this with applesauce

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've had very little nausea and only vomited once. I've not had dumping that I know of. The hair loss started last month and has gotten worse. I've cut my hair a couple of times and know I'll have to cut it even shorter. I've tried to increase my protein by taking the proteinex again and now I'm working on increasing my protein in food.

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

Waking up with the endo tracheo tube. I hate that thing!!!

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

I attend the support group meeting once a month at the hospital where I had surgery. I also talk with several women at work who have had the surgery. They are fantastic and we help each other.

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

I had a gastric stapling back in the 1980's and already had a scar running from just under the breast bone down to the top of my navel. I knew the new scar would probably be just as bad. The new one surprised me. The surgeron cut down the center of the old scar and didn't make a new one. He must have trimmed the old one a tiny bit because it doesn't seem as thick now. I am one of those people who scar bad so it was expected. The surgeon did use staples and sutures to close the wound. This caused tiny scars all the way down on each side. He also went just inside the navel so it is now much smaller than it was. It looks funny, but it was worth it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had several plateaus and its driving me up the wall. I hate it. I lose a few pounds, then go back and forth up and down, then I stay at a weight for a few weeks, then drop a few pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People at work seem to be more friendly. Ones who I have barely talked to in the 11 years I've been there, all at once come up to me and ask how I'm doing. I know they are curious and that's okay. The more people get educated, the better off gastric bypass patients will be. It could also be my imagination, but I actually thought a couple of guys have looked at me differently.