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

I did a lot of surfing the internet. I was afraid that I would have a lot of pain. I was very afraid, but thought that if others were getting through it, I would too.

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

I had a very high end insurance plan through my employer. The surgeons office request authorization to do the procedure in August of 2001 just days after I attended my information meeting and started the process. My insurance approved 100 percent reimbursement. Unfortunately I could not get my surgery scheduled before March 1 of 2002. At that time the insurance company decided that gastric bypass surgery was reconstructive so reimbursement was only at 80%. I ended up paying 1,800, my maximum out of pocket per calendar year. I still feel that I was very fortunate.

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

My surgeon was Raymond Drew in Minneapolis. My first visit was a full hour long, all my questions were answered and the procedure and risks were explained to me. I felt very reassured.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I spend so many decades being obese that I finally decided to have surgery.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

In 2002 my research lead me to believe that the Roux and Y was the best choice for me. The lap band was new and their were some stories of many complications with the lap band. I think that I might have made that choice if I was making the decision today.

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?

My main fears were of pain and of failure. The pain was much less that I expected. I live alone and the first time I tried to get in to bed like I had always, It was so painful that I yelped. I purchased a lift chair and slept in it for the first week. If you don't have someone to help you get in and out of bed I would think about buying/renting a lift chair or getting a side rail at the medical supply store. Yes, they do make side rails that slip between the mattress and box springs, mostly for older people, but would probably help post op. Now, 6 and 1/2 years later I have lost about 70% of my excess weight so I guess I didn't fail.

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?

Most were fairly accepting. I had one aunt who begged me not to do it because she was afraid that I would die. Many people told me that I did not need to have surgery----just diet and exercise (like I did not know) My sister had to get up early to take me to the hospital and she was put out but did it anyway. After surgery most were confused about what I could or could not eat and still lectured me about the whole exercise and balanced diet thing.

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 cooperative. I took off six weeks, but could have gone back after four. The last week I went on a vacation.

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

I had surgery early in the morning on May 9th 2002. I stayed overnight at the hospital and was discharged about 3:00 p.m. the next afternoon. The care was good and everything went exactly like planned. Bring yourself and any toiletries that you want. You will be busy while in the hospital. I bought a book and did not even open it.

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

no

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 so busy at work trying to get my work caught up that I did not have much time to think about it. I drove to my sister's house the afternoon before surgery and started to do my bowel prep. That is when I started to get anxious. I also got more anxious when I checked in to the hospital and got into the hospital gown.

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

I had a piece of fashia (wrong spelling) taken from my thigh and for the first month could not do much walking as when I walked, by thighs jiggled and it was uncomfortable. I had purchased a home four months before my surgery and totally enjoyed my time there. I had never owned my own home before.

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

I had to travel 45 miles. My aftercare is only a 15 minute appointment once a year. I schedule it so I don't have to drive in rush hour so it is not a problem.

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 very little the first few months after surgery. It was very difficult to get back on solid foods but I did it. I dumped from sugar the first few years but now I can eat sugar as long as it is in moderation. I still have to watch fats ad they can easily make me dump. I can not eat most beef. I can eat good quality ground beef that does not have gristle in it. Eggs and chicken have to be moist. Fish is by far the easiest protein for me. I have osteopenia so should eat more dairy but seem to have a problem with milk so I eat cheese and cottage cheese. Bread, pasta and rice are pretty well out for me.

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

My activity level was pretty low the first month, but after that it increased. I still do not have a regular exercise program

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

I take a multivitamin every day. I give myself a b12 shot monthly and take a caltrate

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 had nausea once, the day I was discharged from the hospital. I think from the ride home. I had mild hair loss at about 3 or 4 months after surgery. I dumped when I ate the wrong things about once a month or so. Sometimes I get food stuck and I need to vomit it out. Varies in frequency but maybe on average once a month. It is very annoying to me because when something gets stuck it hurts, I cannot seem to concentrate on anything else and it will usually be 10 minutes or so before I can get it out. Once in a while I have to vomit multiple times. Very little comes up just what was not chewed properly.

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

not knowing what to expect. Never being able to eat a full meal.

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

I went to monthly support groups for about a year and then dropped out as the vast majority of people in attendance were pre-ops or new post ops. I did give support to neebees as much as I could.

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

What scar? really I had a lap procedure and you would have to look very carefully to find the small incisions.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was on a plateau from about a year after surgery until almost a year ago. I was very ill, had to have major surgery, lost twenty pounds in the process and decided to work to keep them off. I have for ten months and have even lost a few more. I am now at my lowest weight post op.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes i do. No one seems to notice my weight. Since I am short people say that I am little. Try getting your head around that one!