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

My mom had the surgery in 1994. At first I thought it was drastic and only for people who had no other options. But the idea grew on me as I saw how well it worked for her. I thought for so long, "I can lose weight on my own." Well, now I am 10 years older and 120 pounds heavier, I realize I can't do it on my own. I need this tool of WLS to help me.

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

well... I tried in 1996 to get approval when I was 18 and my mom's insurance company said to wait until I was 25. By then I wouldn't be covered by them. I could have appealed, but I don't think I was really ready for surgery. Then in late 1997, after getting married, I tried it again. But I had an HMO and I got a contractual denial. The surgeon told me to switch insurance companies and call him then. In December 2002, I talked to my hubby about surgery again and he said he would support me. We had to switch our insurance at open enrollment May 2003. As soon as the insurance was activated in August 2003, I called the surgeon I had picked. After jumping through some hoops, they called for insurance approval and I got it instantaneously!

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

My first meeting with the surgeon was great! I think what really helped me is that I did ALOT of research before seeing him. Plus I had a huge list of questions to ask him and the nutritionist, so I wouldn't forget anything.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have surgery when I felt like I couldn't do it on my own. I told my husband, "I can't go on like this. I'd rather die than live the rest of my life at 500 pounds." Not that I wanted to die, but the prospect of living my live this obese was horrible. I researched the surgery some more and found that the only form of weight loss that was any success for people of my size was WLS. I know I will still have to work at it, but WLS is going to help.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The RNY was most successful in people super-morbidly obese. Also, many people who have the Lap-band get it removed and have the RNY done. I only want one surgery, so RNY was the natural choice for 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 have alot of fear about complications and dying, because I am high-risk patient. However, one way to help is to know that you made the right decision in your surgeon. I have a competent surgeon that I hand picked. I have to go 2 hours to get to him (even thought there are many surgeons closer to me), but it is worth it. I picked him because he really stresses the "after care" aspect of surgery. That shows me he really cares about his patients. Also, his death rate is less than 1%, from what the brochures say. Always ask about death and complication rates! If you have a good surgeon, this should ease your mind.

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?

Everyone I have told is very supportive. Sometimes I get a lecture, but I know it is because they care about me. I wouldn't do anything differently.

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

My employer is super-supportive. I asked for two weeks off, which is cool with them, but they hope that is all I will need. We are opening a new facility 2 weeks after my surgery, so they want me to be there when it opens. I want to be there, too, so I am praying everything goes very smoothly!

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

I was at MCV for 5 days. It was great, except for the fact that I am a "hard stick" for IVs and blood draws. They had this one cocky doctor come in at midnight to do an arterial draw and he was unsuccessful twice! I was mad! Things that you should bring are... your own pillow, a wooden spoon for the times it's hard to reach in the bathroom (wrap it in toilet paper), a teddy bear or something to brace your tummy when you cough, chapstick, comfy slippers, toothbrush and tooth paste, hair tie if you have long hair, a desktop fan if you get hot easily. That's mostly what I brought.

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

I ended up with a blood clot. I had to go to a local hospital for a week. I was put on Heparin and Coumadin. It is now a month and a half since I got out of the hospital, and I am still dealing with some effects of the clot. I am only allowedlight activity as of 3 days ago.

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 haven't had much anxiety about the surgery itself. I did great with my "pureed foods" stage. I feel so much lighter already.

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

I had some soreness, but no real bad pain. The soreness lasted about 2 weeks. But I also had a blood clot, so I couldn't walk much.

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

2 hours to my surgeon. I have to drive there for aftercare, but it is worth it. I have the best surgeon!!!

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.

As soon as I got home, I was on the pureed foods. I ate grits with cheese, and mashed potatoes with cheese, and refried beans with cheese. I had all the cheese to help with protein. When I got home, I couldn't stand any protein drinks. I still can't. There's not much I can't eat now. I have just had to learn to eat slow or I get this horrible pain in my pouch. But I do have a problem with high fat foods. It makes me dump.

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

Practically nothing because of the blood clot. But now that I am 10 weeks post-op, and I just got cleared for light activity, I plan to go to the rec center and go swimming.

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

I take... 1 Women's One-a-Day 2 Viactive 2 SlowFe iron I spread them out because I can only take 1 calcium and 1 iron at a time, and they have to be atleast 4 hours apart.

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 hate the vomiting. It only happens when I eat too fast. I am now losing hair pretty bad, but I have alot of hair anyways. I am taking Biotin and using Nioxin products in the shower. So I am still losing hair, but some of it is already growing back, The hair loss started at about 2 and 1/2 months and it has now been 4 months since surgery. Hopefully it will stop soon.

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

The blood draws. I hope to never have to do another arterial draw again!!!

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

I go see my surgeon at 6 months post-op, then once a year. I belong to a great online support group. www.WLSANDYOU.com

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

I have 5 small incisions. The scars are fading nicely.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit plateaus and had weeks where I only lost 1 or 2 pounds. It only lasted a few weeks, then I would lose alot later.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yeah, very differently. It's like I am not invisible anymore.