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

From my psychiatrist and also on the media (Karnie Wilson). I thought it was a dangerous, quick-fix method of weight loss, but it did intrigued me.

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

After doing 6 months of research and talking to people, I started to pursue the surgery with my HMO of 20 years in April 2001. I had letters of support from my PCP and psych. I received my denial in late May. My doctors and I appealed the decision with even more physical and psychological reasons why I needed the surgery. My HMO stalled and stalled because there was rumor they were going bankrupt in the next few months. I was so excited to receive my approval in late September, however when I called to set up an appt. with the doctor they contracted with, he had a 4-month waiting list. My HMO went bankrupt the following month...before I could get an appt. I was devistated and went into a deep depression for over 9 months. I realize this is not the normal case but that was my first attempt. My health became worse and I couldn't go back to work. For the first time in my life I had to go on Medi-cal. So my doctors and I started the process of applying again in October, 2003. After jumping through the hoops and getting all the tests and physical exams out of the way. However, if I was approved, I would have to go to UC Davis Hospital which is 2 1/2 hours away and there was a waiting list of over 9 months there. Meanwhile my health continued to deteriorate. I was diagnosed with diabetes. The same day my doctor told me that I had diabetes (in late October), she also gave me some incredible news! There was a new WL surgeon in Santa Rosa that takes Medi-cal!! I lived in Santa Rosa 25 years, many of my friends and family live there and it's only 90 minutes away. I had my initial appt. with Dr. Elliot 12/5, jumped through many of the same hoops as I did before, but this time I received a call from his office in January 31st saying that my surgery was approved!!!! After almost two years of trying!! I was so happy! As far as advice...just make sure you do your homework. Put together a list of every diet or weight loss program you've been on. Get the support of your doctor. Stay on top of your insurance company. Be persistant. Start attending WL surgery support groups in your area. Educate yourself.

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

Pre-op staff great. Surgical staff wonderfully hilarious...took my mind off the fear until they had me under. Nurses - (70% great, 10% wonderful, 10% poopy). A bit noisy like most hosipitals. Don't remember much because of drugs. I was there for 5 days. Most important thing that I brought was my ear plugs!

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

One was not really a complication. I knew my surgeon was going to repair A hernia while he was in there, but he ended up finding THREE and repairing them all. He said it was tough, but they did it. I was in excrusiating paid for four days mostly from the hernia repair. When I went I hope I developed a bad pussy infection in two of my incisions that required reopening cleaning and antibiotics. I was very ill with a temp of 103 with these infections.

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 had major anxiety after I got my first date. I came here a lot, wrote in my journal and to my friends and family. Then my surgery was postponed for 6 weeks and I wasn't as frightened after that because I had pretty much gotten it all out of my system. I was still a bit jittery a few days before and the day of, but I came here a lot and it always helped. It's normal to be frightened anyway...it' s major surgery!

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

Everyone is different. I had to deal with the infection and illness from that. I was weak, no appetite, which was good. Slept a lot. Took a lot of pain meds. I was having a tough time getting enough liquids down. No nausea until the 5th week then it got bad. Some days good, some days half and half, some bad. Just have to take it one day at a time.

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

My surgeon was two hours away, so with the cost of gas it really put a dent in our budget. Plus, at first he told me he wanted me to stay locally for at least a week after I got out of the hospital in case of complications. We couldn't afford a hotel for that long and tried to get housing assistance through the hospital social services. They have a couple of apartments they rent out for $25 per night (5 night minimum)to people like us. They are on a first-come-first serve basis. We were at the top of the list but a family came in with an emergency so we didn't get it. My doctor ended up keeping me in the hospital for 5 days rather than three and we stayed in a motel one day and he said it was ok to travel home. It was a long, painful ride. Everything was ok until a severe infection set in about a week later. I was so sick I had to go to the local ER. They called my surgeon who told me to come down the following day so he could look at it. We had to make the four-hour round trip drive again (which was very unpleasant) so he could cut my incisions open to clean them out. I was unable to travel for my 1 month check-up because I was bitten by a brown recluse spider and was very ill from that. Having a surgeon closer to home would have been much better, but that's one of the prices we have to pay for living in a beautiful rural town.

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'm almost 6 weeks out and it's been a roller coaster. The first four weeks I followed my post surgery diet and it was ok except for the diarrhea. The fifth week I really didn't add much more to my diet, but I started getting nauseous a lot. At first I thought it was the brown recluse spider bite and the new antibiotics they put me on. But I'm still having problems. 70% of my diet is still clear liquids, protein shakes and soups. I'm eating cheese, chicken and turkey now and then. I've always been a slow eater, but it's very frustrating to have to chew my food so long. By the time I chew my second bite, my food it cold. And I'm so used to drinking with my meals that I feel like I can't swallow without it. I REALLY miss fresh veggies and fruit! My diarrhea has subsided a bit, but what's happening now is I'll go an entire day without a bowel movement and the next day I'm in a lot of pain and the dam breaks. Will update as time goes on.

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

Because of the hernia repair and infection, and spider bite I haven't been as active as I would have liked to have been. Would get dizzy and weak if I tried to do too much. The last few days though I've been working around the house and yard more. I've been shopping a few times and am able to walk a lot longer than I could before, but I still get worn out easily. It's coming back slowly but surely.

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

flintstones chewable vitamins and calcium

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?

So far diarrhea, nausea, and weakness. Still persisting. I'm just living with them and hoping these things will subside. I keep in contact with my friends here for answers to my questions and support. Plus I have the most wonderful husband in the entire world that supports and takes care of me.

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

The two years of hard work it took to actually get approved and all the hoops I had to jump through. Then preparing myself emotionally to take the risk. The pain of the additional hernia repair I had to have and the infection.

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

Local support group that meets once a month, but we also call each other. One of my support people made the 2 hour trip to see me in the hospital. My angel Angel Miller who was/is incredible. My friends here on ObesityHelp. My friends and family...and most of all my hubby. There are many days I didn't think I'd make it without them. Extremely important.

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

Scare's are small. The two incisions that became infected are a little larger. It's actually better than I expected.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I get more eye contact, people feel more comfortable talking to me, but that may be because I'm a little more comfortable in my skin. I'm still a little withdrawn and nervous around people though. Can't expect things to change in 6 weeks.