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

I think I first heard about it in the news but my mother is really the one who brought me information and signed me up for a seminar.

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

Getting insurance approval was horrible. CIGNA denied my request, I hired a lawyer and was denied again. Finally the lawyer went to the California State Board of Managed Health Care and they overturned the denial and forced CIGNA to pay for the procedure. The whole process took over a year.

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

My first visit with the surgeon was at a seminar and was very informative. My suggestion would be to anyone is keep your mind open but also do your own research and make an informed decision.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Knowing that I no longer wanted to live with the emotional and physical pain. I also knew I couldn't lose the weight by myself, I had already tried a million times.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I orginally went for the LapBand but the insurance wouldn't cover it and I was scared of the more invasive surgery of bypass. When I learned the insurance would cover the RNY but not the LapBand I came to terms with it and figured having something long term and permenant would probably better for me in the long run. Now I'm glad I did.

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 terrified that I would die or have something major go wrong and it would be my own fault since I made this choice. I wrote letters to all of my family members in case I didn't make it through. Looking back it seems silly but I had never had surgery before either. I told myself my quality of life wasn't good as it was and even if I did die at least I died trying to make it 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?

My family had mixed emotions most were happy for me but also concerned that something bad would happen. I wouldn't have done anything differently though, I was very informed and did a lot of research and could offer information to my family and answer most questions. Everyone was very supportive after my surgery and very helpful too.

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

My hospital stay was good. Everyone was pretty nice and attenative. I was pretty anxious to go home by the end of day 2. I only had a problem with one nurse who was completely unhelpful and took her time to do anything. I would be sure to bring something to read, chapstick and slippers. Most everything else I brought I didn't need.

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

At about 6 weeks out I threw up blood and found out I had an ulcer and was readmitted overnight. No big deal or pain, I have been taking prevacid since and will probably come off it soon. I also have had severe nausea since week 3. I have taken Zofran (which didn't work) and am now taking promethazine which has helped tremendously. I will probably be taken off of that at my 6 month appointment. I hope that it doesn't come back.

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 felt pretty good the first 3 weeks. Sore but nothing unbearable. I only took my pain meds at night to help me sleep sound. At 3 weeks when the nausea hit was the worst and it got really bad at different times.

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

Again, I didn't think it was too bad. Just really sore and tired. I walked a little everyday and each day I got better.

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

I didn't have to travel too far. Probably less then 15 miles. I will say the ride home from the hospital wasn't pleasant. Take some pain meds if you can.

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.

The first 4 weeks were just protein shakes, which I got very sick of. I did eat some mashed potatoes or refried beans a couple of times. Weeks 5 and 6 I introduced mushy foods and that was a welcomed change (cream of wheat, mashed potatoes, refried beans, apple sauce, soup, etc.). Since I have introduced regular foods I haven't had problems with any one thing. I just have to chew very good and eat slow! I did have a slight problem with lettuce in the first few months.

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

I haven't been good about working out but my activity has gotten more and more and I have more energy to do it.

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

I take a daily chewable multi-vitamin and am supposed to be taking Iron/B12 pill daily and a liquid Calcium Citrate daily. I haven't been good with the Iron/B12 and calcium at all, mostly because I was so nauseas and couldn't stomach them but I have no excuses now.

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 have very bad nausea since week 3 and have been taking promethazine for it. It has gotten much better and I only take 1 pill a day. I have lost a lot of hair, forunately I have a lot of hair so it's not too noticeable to others but it is to me. I'm going to try to get in even more protein.

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

I would say the nausea would have been the worst part. The throwing up/dumping hasn't been pleasant but it is usually my own fault for not chewing or eating too fast.

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

There is a support group at the hospital where I had the surgery but I don't go often. I don't feel like it is very informative as to current issues for patients. They also have a longer term post op support group that I may switch with.

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

I had laperscopic RNY so my scars are reletively small. One of them is worse then the others (raised more).

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had several plateaus but I because of the nausea I haven't been great about working out.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People definately treat me different which in some ways makes me very mad. The compliments are great though!