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

I found out about bariatric surgery from working as a coder in a hospital. I had just started my career and learned that these surgeries where out there. Some co-workers I worked with were getting different things done so I started to look into it. I was terrified of the RNY...the sleeve...was still semi new...freaked me out...so I went with the least invasive...the BAND.

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

My first experience with getting approved was a simple one. I had united healthcare. This was back in 2004. I went to the seminar over weight loss. Made an appt. Got one letter from my primary dr. That was it. I got approved within 2 weeks. Now getting my band removed was simple as well. In 2011 I went back to my bariatric dr...told him I was having abd pain...and insurance covered it. However, they didnt cover any new procedures...such as the sleeve. So...I waited until 2013. Looked deeply at my benefits...initial benefits said no bariatric services covered. However, in the details of the policy I found a claus that mentioned if I had been previously covered for 2 yrs...they would consider it....what does that mean?? no clue...so I called my hubbies benefits and they patient advocacy called UHC and did find out since I was covered for 12 yrs with same insurance...they would consider . So I went to my dr this yr..(jan) and he refiled with insurance. Luckly I had no pre-qualifiers...which meant I didnt have to do the psych eval , diet...or anything else prior to my surgery. I got approved in Feb. Made my surgery date for March...and as of today its done. My recommendations are to read the fine print. If I were to look at general benefits...mine said no coverage..however...they did not EXCLUDE bariatric benefits since I read further. make sure there are no exclusions...

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

My initial visit was good. I found this website way before I went for a visit. I knew medically what was needed for coverage...such as Morbid Obesity, BMI of 40 or other co-morbidites...such as HTN, OSA, ect...I got my dr to write a letter stating I was overweight for a long period of time with whatever else was wrong so I could bring that to my initial dr visit. Ask questions...research. Go in with a sheet of paper with questions on it. Call your insurance and see what is needed prior.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

The band- being overweight sucked. I wanted to wear nice clothes...look nice...finally decided to do it because i was tired of being fat. The sleeve- after I gained my weight back from the band...I started to get uncomfortable again. In jeans, shirts...ect....and figured if I didnt do something...I was gonna get knee pain again...back pain would get worse..I was having trouble walking...it sucked and I was ready for a change again.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The band- least invasive. The other surgeries freaked me out back in 2004. The sleeve- nexct option. Heard good results with the sleeve. Heard I wouldnt be as sick and would have more options for food...healthy food i couldnt eat with the 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?

with the band- I guess being 33 when I got it done...I didnt have any fears. There were times during the years I had the band where I thought it slipped. I did have a stitch break from one of the port sutures....that was painful but it never flipped. With the sleeve- since i am now 41...I was more scared. I dont do well with anesthetic or surgery in general. Sure enough..I was vomiting every 30 mins that first night of surgery from anesthetic/meds. But come morning, once they did the leak test...if my violent vomiting didnt tear something..nothing would. Sleeve came out fine...so no worries... If you scared....research....dont read all the bad stories...they are NOT all bad. For some...their pain tolerance level is low..so everything is painful. For others...it was no biggie...I have been through 2 vertical (classical ) c-sections and a open hysterectomy last yr. This...was nothing....just know there will be pain....and it will get better.

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?

with the band- I was supported by family. Since none of them is fat they were more curious to see what it was about. With the sleeve- this time..I didnt tell anyone. After the band I got every opinion from everyone that DIDNT have the band. They dont know what it was like. The sacrifices we make. The determination we have to have. That comes from within. I did tell them a week before surgery. My husband was there to support me. Thats all I needed.

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

Both times my employers were fine with my decision. With the band I think I was out a week. With the sleeve..I was out a week and 3 days. Which is long enough. I have a desk job...so really there is no moving alot.

What was it like attending your first information seminar on weight loss surgery? Were you glad you attended? if so, why?

My first session was in the hospital. They got all of us who had surgery togeather to discuss diet, how we are feeling...ect. Was awesome to be around others who were as miserable as me. But at the same time nice because we all gave advice over protein intake..where to get it...how much ect... and since we had the same drs...we all were told the same thing. The bariatric services of where you go will have all the answers. I went to a hospital that specializes in bariatric surgery. They do all sorts of other surgeries but have a specific area for bariatric. That makes a HUGE difference. All the nurses and whoever else was involved knew how to treat me .

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

band- one night. I did bring my own nightie...but really didnt need it. sleeve- 2 1/2 days. I brought my own new nightie specifically for that visit. :) (makes u feel good ) and toothbrush /toothpaste. But really...unless u wear makeup...which I didnt...that was all. Besides deoterant. I did have slippers.....

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

with the band- no...no complications with the sleeve- I had a uti after surgery which I didnt find out about until 2 days later. So I was re-admitted for IV and antibiotics. But no complications with surgery itself.

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

band- I felt good. Positive. But once I didnt get a fill for like 4 weeks after the surgery I got discouraged. The fill part of the band is like an emotional rollarcoaster. You go in positive. Thinking this fill is it. I will feel "full" and lose weight. But if you are like me...1 day later..I can eat as much if not more...then I was not able to schedule another fill for 2 weeks. So the emotional rollarcoaster began again. the sleeve- I felt crappy the first 4 days...after that...fine. Sore...but good. I am constantly hungry so I feel like I am eating all the time. Protein intake is hard. Water intake is hard only because i hate water. Have to admit first few days after the sleeve...because I didnt feel good and was hungry..I regretted it. Kept thinking..crap...should have thought about this...but after I started to get blended soups and cottage cheese...I was fine. I was hungry..and being hungry isnt fun.

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

I rested. Not sure if its just me..but I always get cold for like a day or so. Its the anestheic getting out of my system jacks with my internal temp. So I get a heating pad...and go along for the ride. I rest when my body tells me. Take it easy....trust me, I have gotten home..been on pain meds...think I am ok...then start bleeding at the incision sites from doing to much. walk when you can. drink when u can and dont crap on yourself if you are not doing exactly what the dr wants.

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

my surgery was maybe 15 miles from my house. So no traveling for me.

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.

band- I was on a brief liquid diet that switched to mushies then real food. Once I started eating real food I would never know until I took a bite of food whether it would go down. Like I tell everyone..the band has a mind of its own. One day will not be like the next. One day I could eat chicken..the next...forget it. Sleeve- since i am still on the liquid part...so far so good. I feel like I can eat alot....when I drink my 1/4 soup....it doesnt fill me up. So will have to wait for real food to test.

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

band- I was tired. Think the initial shock of surgery really took a toll on me. Took alot for me to do anything. sleeve- since I have been in this starving stage before...its like my body remembers. I seem to have energy ....its different this time.

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

BAND- not really any sleeve- I take multivitimin. b-12 once a week. Vit d....all chewable

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?

band- I did lose hair...not sure when...but I know it happened. alot of vomiting. at least 4 times a week but its not a nauseaous vomit...its a bring up what wont go down vomit. sleeve- alot of nausea when I drink to fast....so far..thats all I notice

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

worse part is the pre-diet...and post diet...I cant do liquids. Dont like protein drinks...would rather have real food....

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

I go once a month to a support group from the hospital I got surgery with. Also this website is a HUGE help with support and info.

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

I have 4 incisions straight across my stomach above my belly button. and one tiny one right below my boobs past my breast bone. Dr used same incisions to put in band, take out band, and do gastric sleeve. They fade somewhat...not bad.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I experienced a big long one with the band....but than again...I stopped exercising and ate exactly the same amt of calories I am guessing to maintain my weight. sleeve...I am a slow loser...I have lost 10 pounds in a week....think its going to be slow...I was slow with the band as well. It didnt just drop off.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

no. I guess since I have accepted the way I am.....I dont really care what others think of my weight.