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

My daughter's mother in law did it. At first I thought she was a lot braver than I could ever be. But she visited with me about it and peaked my curiosity. From there, I began to do research, using the internet as my primary tool. This website was a gold mine of information, and I must have read 1,000 profiles! The more I read, the more I wanted it.

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

I have Aetna TRS Care. They WON'T pay for a lap band, and consistantly denied my appeals. They, however, OFFERED to pay for an RNY bypass or verticle band gastroplasty if I wanted to change procedures. I would advise collecting every shred of evidence you can find that shows you have tried to conquer your weight problem. I sent everything I had for the past 30 years (Not just the 2 some require.) Even more important, I wrote a two page cover letter to the insurance company for my file that summarized all my efforts (so it was easier than looking through all the file, but the file was there for validation). The intake nurse who had my file said it was so complete, I didn't need to add anything for an appeal. Send it ALL folks.

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

I had a total of three consultations before finding the right surgeon for me. The right one was Dr. Adam Naaman. By the time I met him, I had been through two other consults and tons of research. He respected the fact that I had done my homework and was open to either discussing the pamphlet he provides or jumping directly to my questions. He was self confident, a bit dry, to the point, and open to any questions. People should go to their first consult having done their research and compiled a list of questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Desperation. I had tried every attempt to loose weight that I could think of and just couldn't do it. The scales climbed and my heath sunk. If I wanted to see my grandchildren grow up, I had no choices left. I just couldn't name any 65 year old morbidly obese diabetics who were alive...and knew the clock was ticking for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My insurance company rejected my request for lap band and after reading their rationale for the rejection, I decided to open my mind to the more invasive procedures. The long term success rate and the fact it could be done laproscopically encouraged me to do the RNY gastric bypass. Also, I belong to a large support group and these upbeat, wonderful folks have nearly ALL had the RNY.

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 was very afraid of dying or developing a complication that would make my life worse than it was. My biggest dying fear seemed to be related to not waking up. I personally met with the doctor who would put me under and requested her presence in the operating room. That was comforting to me. It was hard to confront my fear squarely and come to terms with the root cause of it, but she did a great job of that. I also worried about forming blood clots or getting pneumonia. I wore the pressure booties even when the hospital didn't have them on me (my hubby learned how to do it and made sure they were on at all times.) Even though it hurt to do the breathing excercises, I made it MY BUSINESS to do it every hour and do it to the BEST of my ability no matter how much it hurt. Having fears before this surgery is normal (if you aren't afraid, you don't understand the full scope of what is involved...that was my anesthsiologist's observation and reassurance to me!) but you need to voice them and make a plan of action within the realm of your power to make them controllable. For me, it was meeting the doctor who would put me under, being sure I walked within 4 hours of surgery, wearing those boots ALL the time in the hospital, and doing my best with the breathing excercises. Last, but certainly NOT least, enlist prayer from family and friends and pray, pray, pray. There is great comfort in knowing the Lord hears your prayers.

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?

99% of my family and friends were supportive from the get go. They are all very aware of the 30 years of dieting I have struggled through and love me enough to know this was not an "easy way out" but the "final way out". One family member who is generally opposed to surgery and definitely insensitive to eating disorders (just stop eating!!!) expressed negative thoughts. I simply stopped talking to him about it, until it was close to surgery time. I then sent him an email summarizing why I was doing it and eliciting his help in the form of positive support of my decision. He responded favorably and even called to check up on me during the recovery period.

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

I am retired, so this question doesn't apply to me.

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

I was at Memorial Herman Mermorial City Hospital in Houston, Texas. I was admitted on Wednesday and discharged on Friday morning. The care there was good (above average, but not excellent). I limited what I brought to a comfortable loose dress for going home, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, slippers, and phone list. I didn't need anything else. (I had a fan in the car in case it was hot, but did not need it.)

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

No complications whatsoever. Had some postop gas from lap procedure (to be expected) relieved when given a suppository to get my bowels moving. WELL.....SIX WEEKS LATER: On Sept. 4, a huge ulcer in my pouch perforated the pouch in two places giving me peritonitis and 14 days in the hospital. The second perforation was into my OLD stomach, and my surgeon was afraid that it would stop my weight loss. However, I continue to lose weight (91 pounds at 5 months out).

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 was on an emotional roller coaster for a month. I was elated and scared to death. I relieved anxiety by talking about it to friends (with positive conversations), praying, and finally meeting the doctor who would put me to sleep. I had a hard time admitting to her the source of my fear (some of it had no particular source), but once we talked it out and she told me some details about what happens when you are asleep, I felt better. So, get informed!

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

My surgeon discharges from the hospital in two days, but you must remain within the city of Houston for one week, or until the drain is removed. That week went by quickly for me. I followed his instructions regarding walking (we went every two hours) and devoted myself to increasing my distance and speed. Four days after surgery, I was able to go to a local store and spend 3+ hours walking around in it! I had no pain, no problems...drank only clear liquids and walked as my surgeon told me to do.

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

I traveled from the Austin, Texas area to Houston for surgery (a 182 mile/three hour drive). It was worth it to have the surgeon I had! I am not sure about aftercare, as I am only one and a half weeks out at this time, but I do know that Dr. Naaman personally returns all phone calls. There is no support system there, but I have joined local support group.

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.

Week One: clear liquids (broth, tea, coffee, Gatoraide, Propel, juices - NO JELLO OR POPSICLES!) Week 2 - 7: Creamed foods...cream of wheat, Malt-o-Meal, creamed soups, smoothies (Foods that are semi liquid/ very soft no chunks but not clear.) Week 8 - 13: Soft foods such as eggs, mashed potatoes, etc. Week 14: regular foods

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

Week One: walking every two hours for 13 - 20 minutes the first 3 days. On day 4, began spending 3+ hours at stores or malls once a day and continued walks every two hours the rest of the day. Week Two: Walking a half hour in the morning and a half hour in the evening. Doing light household tasks with no problems.

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

My surgeon only requires Flintstones Complete twice a day.

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?

No side effects experienced as of one and a half weeks after surgery.

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

The leak test the morning after surgery!!! It was awful!

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

I am a member of the Pfamos Support Group in Round Rock, Texas. They are VERY important to me as they have offered guidance, support, and just good old fashioned loving friendship. Couldn't have done this without them!

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

I have five one half inch incisions which were sutured from inside...no staples or stiches visible. One more incision has the hole for the drain tube; about 1/4 inch scab. That's it! I am TERRIBLE bruised, but that will disappear! I did expect the small incisions, but didn't realize there would be no visible stiches or staples (what a pleasant surprise!) I was NOT prepared for the bruising, but I understand I was unusually bruised. (Looked like a cement truck rolled over me!!!) The second (emergency) surgery was also done laproscopically and Dr. Naaman used the same incisions for the most part as were used in the first surgery. So my scars aren't much more than they were the first time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

About 4 months out, I seemed to hit a plateau. I lost only about 6 pounds in a month...but what I discovered was that I was losing inches during that month. That made me feel better. To break the plateau, I concentrated on LESS carbs, more protein, eating ONLY when it was mealtime (cutting out the snacks) and increasing water.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, not really. I was pretty well accepted, I think, even before I was less fat. But I still have a long way to go...I am only about half way to goal now. So we will see.