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

The people I know who had various procedures have had a variety of results. So I found myself wondering if this could work or was another way to fail yet again. I started researching on my own, reading articles, tracking Carnie Wilson's results and Al Roker. I began to feel maybe this could be of benefit for me as well. More recent, newer procedures seem to be more effective and personal success more likely. My sister has lost 85 lbs. so far since her surgery and looks great, health has improved and she is much more confident for a healthy future.

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

I made sure I had all my information correctly filled out for Insurance, recommendation from my PCP, they made the appointment with the bariatric doctor for me, I got in sooner for the initial appointment. Put together a weight history chart from beginning of my retaining weight in 1973 to 2003. I'm a detail person so I had most of this in various journals or "weight-loss program" journals. Compiling into a one page chart. I had sleep study in 2002 and have been on CPAP machine, so I did not have to go through that testing again. My medical history unfolded the truth of my excess weight and the effect it has had over the last 30 years. And the fact that I followed numerous programs to attempt to lose weight and maintain the losses. My Insurance company approved the first letter. Just be persistent with seeking an approval, sometimes they say NO automatically and people fear to appeal, but just keep being an advocate for yourself or seek out others who can and are willing to help you. There are many wonderful people in this country who want to help each other.

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

I did my homework, knew the various procedures available and which ones this bariatric surgeon performed. Wrote down my questions ahead of time, I get so nervous I have a "intelligence lapse". My husband came with me so I would not have to remember ebrything and try to explain it all to him at home later. My doctor was great he showed us the procedures on his laptop computer and spent a full hour with us for the exam, explanations, answering questions and never made us feel awkward or uncomfortable.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My decision came slowly after prayer, research, talking with close friends and especially my husband. They all know the struggle I have had over the years with the gains, losses, and regaining of weight. I am tired of hurting physically, I have looked at the emotional issues of my eating in therapy and feel I have made honest, strong efforts to lose the excess pounds so many times and ways, that some would probably think it untrue!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After talking with the surgeon and the research I had done, the laparoscopic proximal RNY seems to be the best choice in my personal case. I have a strong problem with sugar and this cannot be tolerated with the procedure i will have done.

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?

Fears? Yes. I have them, I wouldn't be normal without them. But I have faith in the Lord, trust and confidence that whatever happens it is meant to be. I cannot change my future, but I can take steps to preserve and protect my upcoming life ahead by making choices that will positively effect my health. The excess weight is NOT good for my body to haul around every day! Current fear is not being able to go up a flight of stairs without breaking into a sweat, stopping to get breathing under control and making sure others are ahead of me because it takes me forever to climb the stairs. My life can only improve after surgery and recovery!

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 not chosen to make this info common knowledge to all family members. I will when I have a surgery date, but for now it is just close friends and immediate family. I have since told the rest of our family on both sides that I had WLS surgery. Some had no comment, others were curious and the last supportive. About what one would expect. My immediate family was extremely supportive and there every step of the recovery process. 04/17/2006 NOW I get the look that I'm too thin...what a riot! All are just not used to seeing me at a weight I was at 22 years old...my "normal" weight I should be!

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

Talking with my supervisor, I only shared that I will be having surgery sometime this summer and may be out of work 4-6 weeks. So until more info is needed, they have not ask the persoanl nature of the surgery. My Insurance is through my husband's employer, so my workplace doesn't need specifics, just when and how long I will be away from work. I was out 4 weeks, I had the time so used all of sick time to be well rested to return to work full-time.

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

My stay at the hospital was pleasant, staff was accommodating and attentive. I was in ICU one day and surgicare floor three days. They had larger size gowns for bariatric patients, I brought my own cosmetics, soaps, dental needs, slippers, bathrobe for walking the halls, and clothes to go home in. The hospital provided toiletries and dental needs even though I brought mine. I was not up to reading, watched minimal T.V. had phone received calls, but I never made any.

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

None that I was aware of. Nausea was the biggest and longest lasting complication for me. Swallowing pills continues to be after week 7. Intestinal swelling, had repeat barium swallow, no leaks but irritated intestines, from meds received after surgery. I took longer to heal, but that is normal for my body and happened in other unrelated surgeries. I was on Compazine for nausea for a couple weeks, and gradually the symptoms went away as I continued to heal.

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 went to visit our son in Missouri 2 weeks before, when I got home the next morning was pre-op admission tests, I worked the rest of the week and then boom the day was here! Keep busy, read, update yourself on your surgery, make a list of how great it's going to be to become a weight LOSER! I had some anxiety the night before and talked with my spouse and couple of close riends to settle my anxities down.

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

My first week I was tired, slept alot, mini-naps throughout the day. I walked around the house first day or two, then went outside to walk around the yard. Later in the week I walked down our long driveway to get the daily mail. The second week my spouse took me to a mall where I could walk on even surface without fear of falling and could sit on benches whenever I needed to rest, have a drink, etc. I had some nausea but no vomiting. I think it is wise to have someone around when you decide to walk, do stairs etc. until you feel confident about getting around. All this depends how you went through surgery and the weight you are starting at.

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

Our drive was about 35 minutes to the hospital. My aftercare was no problem, my spouse drove me until after week 2 when my doctor ok'd driving again.

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.

(7/17)Day 3 to week 3 (8/05/2003) 4 ozs. Protein drink-Myoplex lite 4 ozs. Sugar free Jell-O 4 ozs. Diet Snapple 4 ozs. Crystal Light 4 ozs. Sugarfree/fatfree pudding 4 ozs. Protein drinks Advantage Atkins 4 ozs. Whipped low fat cottage cheese (you get the idea 8am-8pm) GOAL was 44-50 grams of protein a day. With RNY surgery...NO NO NO real sugar, substitutes only, i.e. NutraSweet, Splenda. (8/12 to 9/21/03) More soft/solids have been added. Cottage cheese with fruit, hamburger, fish, canned veggies, (raw do not digest well). Fruits, lean cuisine meals (eat about half). Gaterade, lots of water, I can finally swallow my vitamins and pills. 2004-2006 TUNA fish and Pork have consistently stayed OFF my list of foods to tolerate and dairy is minimal...cheese only for the most part, small amount of whipped cream cheese on TOASTED breads. Beef is also minimal. chicken and seafood and fish are my meats of tolerance.

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

SLOW, walk, move carefully. use LOTs of pillows to cushion your sides, abdomen esp. when you cough hold pillow tight to your stomach, it helps prevent straining those muscles. Try a little bit more activity each day. After week 6 I really noticed a difference in how I felt physically, stronger, more of a "spring" in my step. All the after-effects of surgery had disappated.

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

Centrum Silver and Calcium Citrate

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?

Nausea comes and goes, breathe slowly and deeply it passes. Sleep I'm still working on, unless I elevate my head I feel like I'm choking. Some depression, weepiness, but it passes, don't be afraid to discuss with your doctor, it is common and you are not alone! There are meds to help with depression; this is very common after surgery and the changes you find yourself going through. Finally at week 7 the worst of the NAUSEA seems to be over. Took Compazine for awhile until nausea wasnt so pronounced. Sleeping varies by night. Dumping happens with poultry so for now it is off my food list. 9/21/2003 still cannot do chicken and it is a favorite of mine! 04/17/2006 CHICKEN is IN! Dairy is not well tolerated...

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

Swallowing any type of pills, vitamins, pain relievers, etc. Certain foods just don't digest well, no matter how much chewing I do. Poultry esp. and anything very spicy makes me have heartburn.

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

01/11/2004 Our support group consists of pre & post-op patients of Dr. Mecenas. We meet monthly and share speakers with RNY & Lap-band clients. After the speaker we break into two separate support groups(RNY & Lap) for discussion and sharing of information. The RNY group has a post-op only meeting once a month to share our experiences unique to post-ops. 09/2003 Our first meeting is September 15, 2003. Our surgeon and his staff are very committed to being there every step of the process from the start without exception. Our first meeting was for organization and there was a great turnout of current patients and those with a scheduled surgery date. We lined up ideas for topics, speakers and future expansion of meeting place and possible two groups to accommodate everyone.

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

Laparscopic RNY, scarring is minimal. Minor incisions, fading with time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

09/2003 Some certainly lose more weight at faster pace, but this is not a contest and my body will work with the adjustments as well as anyone. As I can I hope to be more active with exercise, but for now my feet and legs still have problems from the excess weight. Thus far at WEEK 10 the weight continues to come off. 01/11/2004 APPROACHING SIX MONTHS on the 15th and the weight continues to drop, currently loss is 80 pounds (244/164)so I'm on target thus far. No plateaus yet. 04/17/2006 At this time I have maintained a weight loss of 135 pounds since 12/25/2004. I currently weigh 110 pounds.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

04/17/2006 People definitely treat a THIN person differently. Those I meet now have no idea I ever was 135 pounds overweight! 01/11/2004 With the loss of 80 pounds now, people have definitely noticed the loss where previous weeks they said nothing now comment. Funny thing some say well don't lose too much we want to still be able to see you. What's up with that? I was so big I was not hard to miss, but I would think they would be glad I'm smaller, who can figure? Anyway I feel better about myself. 9/28/2003 Some people are definitely noticing a difference now after 45 pounds lost, they are asking questions, commenting on how good I look now, what are you doing, etc. kind of nice for a change. 9/21/2003 I saw a friend in the store who couldnt believe how different I looked, saw her about 2 days prior to surgery on 7/15/2003. She was surprised at the loss I showed. 8/12/2003 Not really yet, except for close friends, no one else, such as co-workers has made any comments. So I guess time will tell.