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

My grown son emailed me a letter from a guy who had the surgery about three years ago but at that time I felt good--no pains so I thought it was crazy. But as I turned 50 years old and the pains were getting worse, I started to think I had to do something and I was not going to lose weight on my own.

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

I submitted my application to my doctor's office and one day later they said my insurance would not pay a dime. I went to work and read the booklet and there it was, in print that they would not pay. Humana PPO. I think the Humana HMO pays but that was just my luck!

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

My first visit to my doctor's office came about in a strange way. I was at another doctor's office for a pain in my back. He was so nice but he said I needed to take some weight off and he had one of his nurses walk me to another doctor's office in that building. While in the elevator, this older lady=nurse said she used to be 300 lbs. I couldn't believe that. She weighed maybe 140 lbs. As it turned out, she took me to a Bariatric office. I met with the 'Non-Surgerical' doctor and my 15 minute consultation turned into about 3 hrs. I learned so much. I got home read everything I could get my hands on.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

After reading lots of info and after reading patients thoughts on the surgery, I started telling my husband everything and finally we both decided to take the leap! I knew I would never lose much weight any other way becasue I never had before.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided on RNY because I wanted an aversion to sweets. I have to say now that I am 6 weeks Post-Op, I kind of wish I would have had the Lap-Band.

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 didn't think I would die because I trust the Lord. But right after the surgery, I thought I would never get enough food in me to be healthy and that worried me. Now that I am 6 weeks out, I can eat more and feel my strength come back. The surgery or should I say my surgean is wonderful! He's had the surgery himself and he looks so healthy. He has everything in such a good order--I had no serious problems. The hospital experience was the best it could possibly have been.

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?

Believe it or not, no one knows I've had the surgery except me and my husband. Our two married kids are out of state and all my employees have no idea. I came in and out of my work place the first week and no one even notices that I have lost 38 lbs. I am losing it all over evenly I guess. A few people see a little loss in my face and neck. The main thing is that I know I'll never gain this weight back. I thought I'd lose more by now but I wanted to keep the surgery a secret and now I can without a problem.

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

I am the supervisor! I just told me employees that I was taking off a week or so to help a good friend! Well, I am my 'good friend'.

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

My hopsital stay was wonderful because it was set up for WLS patients. My floor was very quiet and there was one more young girl there who had the surgery the day before me. We began friends and still talk on the phone. I arrived at 5:30 am and was in the anesthelogist holding area by 6:30-7:00 all ready to go into surgery. My doctor was 'late' I over heard as surgery was scheduled for 7:30. I was awake and not too nervous but then they gave me something to relax me and I guess I went to sleep because I didn't see my doctor before the surgery which made me sad. My husband said he was there by 8:30 becasue a nurse came out and told him I was in surgery. At 10:15 my doctor came out to talk to my hubby. I had a beautiful room on the seventh floor with a great view. My husband stayed in my room for the full 3 1/2 days. His bed was terrible but everything else was great. Just bring your normal personal stuff with you. I didn't need a fan but had one in the car. My young friend across the hall used her fan constantly. YOu really need someone with you if at all possible. I didn't need the nurses for little things like getting me up because I had my hubby. He took good care of me. But the nurses were so sweet and there when I needed them.

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

I was really sore in my shoulders and inside thighs the second day. My doctor ordered a ultrasound but everything was fine. I realized later that I had slept on my back with my legs open and pressed against the end of the bed. I was better better a day or two. After being home, after about 1 month I got a pain in my left back and the doctor ordered a urine test which showed I had some kind of bacteria. I was put on anti-bodics and that made me a little sick to my tummy but the pain in the back went away. 3-6 weeks out I had a pain in my tummy where they 'dug' around during surgery. This hurt especially when I coughed which I had to do for a week because I caught a cold. So for a few weeks I though I was never going to feel strong and healthy again. But I do--after 6 weeks and the cold is gone.

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

There was a month or so to wait but that was my decision as we had a trip planned to see our married kids out of state and I wanted the surgery and recovery time to fit into my schedule. I don't think I was that anxious as it was a relief to know I was going to do something about losing my weight.

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

The first few weeks were fine but I couldn't eat much at all. I was quite worried about getting enough food to be healthy. My tummy hurt from the surgery, not the incisions but under that. The G-tube was not a bother that first two weeks but I was glad to have it out. It hurt for a quick minute when the nurse took that out. I healed fine on the outside but it takes at least six weeks to heal inside. I think my coughing was not good for the healing process. The bad thing is that food never is that great any more. I used to love good food but nothing is that delicious anymore. I miss that.

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

We traveled about an hour to the hospital but I have all my follow-up care right here in town by the same doctor's office. It's great--there's lots of support. But one funny thing, most of the people in my doctor's office don't remember who I am from visit to visit. My doctor might now since I teased him about it.

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

In my area and with my surgeons, we have a support group every month. So far I have gone to three. I always learn something important and have met a few new people that is important also. You need to have people who have gone thru what you have gone thru. I haven't met that 'every good friend' yet but I like those I've met.

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

I had lapro not open so my six little incisions are just little lines on my tummy. At about seven weeks. all the inside tenderness is just almost gone. The scars will fade, I hear even more. They are 1/2" to 2" long at the most. It's amazing how they don't bother me. Of course, I don't plan to show off my belly to anyone except my hubby!!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

At about the 5-7 weeks, I tetter-tottered back and forth by 1 pound. I thought I was stuck there forever. I weigh everyday but I just changed that to once a week-on Weds. Anyway, then I remembered that I was at that plateau weight 10-14 years before and was there for years so that may be why I couldn't move down. My body may have remembered! That's not a fact, I just thought of it and it comforted me. I have dropped several pounds since then and I am really not bothered by not losing faster (I have lost 40 lbs in seven and 1/2 weeks and it hardly shows at all to other people.) But I am not losing for them. I realize I gained the weigh slowly, without people noticing and I am losing it the same way--I think all over my body.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, I have always felt respected by people who know me. I am a professional and I think that gives me respect from others. I never have enjoyed being around the 'in-crowd'. I am a Christian and I like geniune people not worldly, hip hop folk. Plus I am married and very happy so I don't need so many 'friends!!' I like having soul mates.