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

I first found out about the surgery from a co-worker. Then I started doing some research on the internet. I have learned most of my information from the people on the ObesityHelp.com site. I haven't scheduled my surgery yet. I am going for my psych eval on this Monday...March 9,2002 and see the surgeon on March 21,2002. I feel without this surgey I am destined to be heavy until I die from being overweight or other health issues due to being overweight. I am only 46 years old and don't want to be dead by the time I am 50.

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

I didn't have a really hard time with getting approved for the surgery like some people I have talked to in the chat room has. I am going thru the Liv-Lite program in Junction City KS at the Geary Community Hospital. I callewd them to get some more info on the surgery and they sent me a packet with a medical history and weight loss/gain history. I filled it out and sent it back to them. They submitted the necessary paper work to get approval from the insurance companies. I have insurance with CIGNA from where I work. I also am a dependent on my husband's insurance thru his employer and he has BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD from Texas. Blue Cross/Blue Shield denied the surgery, but my insurance with CIGNA approved it.

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

My first visit with my surgeon was very informative. The staff at Dr. Charles Bollman's office were pleasant and very friendly. Dr Bollman was very easy to talk to and answered all of my questions. The best thing for people to do is have a list of questions they have with them when they see the dr. I took a list and my dr answered all of them in great detail. Dr. Bollman even explained how he does the surgery, the complicatios involved like with any major surgery. He did not try to make the surgery sound like it is a cure all for being obese. He said it is a tool and if I was sure this is what I wanted to do he would be glad to do my surgery. He explained this surgery is usually done as a last resort and has been very successful for the people who follow the pouch rules and take their vitamins and get their exercise (walk), and eat their protein. If these rules are followed then there should be no reason I won't be able to lose the weight I want to lose.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Gaining weight and wanting to live a long and healthy life with husband. I would like to be able to take long walks without getting out of breath. I would like to be able to be more active and healthier. I want to be able to lose weight and be able to buy clothes in stores without having to go to specialty stores.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I came to my decision for the surgery after doing a great deal of research on the surgery. I looked at the types of surgery that I thought might be good for me. I decided to go with the open rny versus lap for the following reason. I want the dr to be able to see what he is doing with his hand and not thru a screen on a tv screen. I realize the recovery is rougher.

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?

The fears are normal... We all are scared of dying on the operating table or having complications from the surgery. When I had my visit with my surgeon, he explained the complications that could arise and what he does to keep them down to a minimal. He also explained what he does if there are complications and how he fixes those problems. Me personally, I have elected to do a Living Will/Power of Attorney just in case of unforseen death/coma.

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 husband and family have been very supportive. This was not a decision that was reached quickly. I researched this surgery thoroughly before making my decision and discussed all aspects with my husband and family. I even discussed my wishes if something were to happen to me in surgery, like being brain dead. I don't want to be put on life support to keep me alive if there is no possible way of me coming thru and not being able to live a full life. I do not want to be a burden to my husband/family and run up enormous bills. The only way I would want to be put on life support is to keep my organs viable for organ donor transplant.

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

My employer has been very supportive in my surgery. I told them I was going to have surgery for weight loss and this is something that I feel I need to do. I told them I would need to be off for about 6 weeks unless the dr says to go back to work earlier.

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

My stay in the hospital was a pleasant stay. The staff was very kind and helpful. I went into the hospital on Monday, 06-10-02 and was released on 06-15-02. I think all I brought was a couple of night shirts, which I never used, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, makeup, shower gel and shampoo and conditioner. Everything else was provided by the hospital.

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

Did not have any complications from the surgery until recently. Recently I have been experiencing some nausea/throwing up, not dumping, but getting nauseated and throwing up a foamy like substance with mucas. I had an endoscope, colonscopy and upper GI to see why this could be happening.

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

In the weeks after getting my date I was excited and anxious for the day to get here. I would discuss my feelings with my husband, who by the way, is a great listner and very supportive. I also worked and didn't have a whole lot of time to think about it until the last couple of days.

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

I did a lot of sleeping/resting. I was on full liquids until I saw my dr 2 weeks after my surgery, which was an open rny. I had help with getting my blood thinner injections for 10 days. My hubby did that for me. He was also a real trooper when it came to helping me in the bathroom and assisting me in drying off once out of the shower. He made sure I get in the meals that I was suppose to have since I had no appetite.

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

I didn't have far to travel, only 26 miles from where I lived to where the hospital. So that really didn't affect me like it would someone who had farther to trave.

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 had a hard time with breads and still do at times. But for the most part I try to keep a balanced diet with mostly proteins and very little carbs.

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

My activity level was very slow in the beginning. I did make sure I got up to do my walking even when I was in the hospital. The more I walked the better I felt. This was easier to do as the day/weeks went by.

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?

the worst thing for me to have experienced is the nausea/throwing up, not dumping I mean. I have had some test run to see what the cause is but haven't got anything conclusive yet. BY coping I just stay in bed the entire day except when I'm up throwing up. Nothing seems to get rid of the nausea.

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

For me the worst part of this surgery is what I'm experiencing now. The nausea/throwing up and constipation.

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

I went thru the Liv-Lite program in Junction City KS and there is a support group on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. It is good for people that are looking into the surgery and for those of us who have already had the surgery. We can go there and answer questions to people who are researching. We can ask our own questions and share our experiences.

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

MY scar goes from just below my breastbone to just about 1-1 1/2 inches past my belly button. This was what I had expected, because my surgeon was very informative prior to surgery as to what he does.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not really had any plateaus since I have had this surgery.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have noticed I get more attention from MEN. I have had a hard time dealing with this. It is not what I'm use to from the men, like they take 2nd looks and not with discust on their faces as before when I was my heaviest.