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

I have had friends that have had the surgery and I watched them lose their weight and become healthy again. I began doing research online and after a lot of consideration I decided this surgery was for me. The risk involved having the surgery out-weigh the risk of not having the surgery.

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

I have no insurance. I am disable and on Texas Medicade. Texas Medicade does not pay for this surgery due to the fact it is considered a cosmetic surgery. I was told I had no chance of getting Texas Medicade to pay for the surgery so I might as well give up. I did all the research and wrote a long letter describing eveything I had wrong with me and how weight loss could cure me. I used the form letter on ObesityHelp.com then I personalized and added to that letter until it fit me and what I needed. I added in a page on the expenses that Texas Medicade has already had to spend on me due to my obesity and how much future cost were likely to be. I also included a letter from all 6 of my Doctors with their opinions on my need for the surgery. I also wrote several separate letters, one to each governmental office Texas has, example: Senators Office, Governors Office, State Representitive Office... I sent each of them a package in the mail asking for their help. Some I heard back from and others ignored me entirely. (I know who my family, friends and I will and will not vote for in the future) The first letters netted no results and for about three months I was a bit depressed. I had all but givin up. I wasn't sure where to turn or what to do next. Then I realized I had not sent my letter to the one person that could help me. So I sent my letter "package" to Texas Congressman Nick Lampson and he responded almost immediately to me. I was assigned a case worker and it took us a year but I was approved my Texas Medicade for my surgery. Not only did Texas Congressman Lampson help me, but he sent my letter to others and got their attention. I received several phone calls from Government Officials and was informed that at the 2005 Legislature a proposal will be put on the board for Texas Medicade to start paying for this surgery for those that are in medical need. Knowing my letter may change the way Texas Medicade looks at this surgery is awesome! If it has done nothing else it has brought the problem to their attention.

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

My surgeon Dr. Beall has this support group that meets monthly. I can call any one of the members at any time if I need help. I also have this awesome dietition that I can call on if I need her. I live so far away from my surgeon and support group that I attend a local support group but I have to always keep in mind to do as MY surgeon says and not as the surgeon of the support group I attend. My dietition mails me litature that she thinks I can use or may want each month especially now that I have began to eat again. I can and do call on Debbie Knight for support as well. I find her to be the best ever, she always finds time to talk to me and set me straight. She has had this surgery so I trust her opinion and information more than I do someone who has never been through this. Having a support system is vital in the success of this surgery. It is a complete life change and a person needs to talk to the people that have already been through this. One needs to know that what he/she is experiencing is common or maybe not so common. For me the support has been vital in my weight loss and it encourages me to work even harder with my new tool.

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

I wasn't exactly sure what to expect for a scar. I ended up with 8 small incision scars due to the fact Dr. Beall was able to do my surgery LAP. They have all healed really nicely and a few have began to fade already.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I hit a plateau at 6 weeks out and was upset about this. I understand that the body has to catch up but I didn't expect the plateau so soon. Two weeks into the plateau I was rushed back to the ER and into emergency surgery for a twisted bowel with adhesions wrapped around it. We are pretty sure this is what triggered my early plateau.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have lost 80 pounds in the past two months and people are going on and on about the way I look. As far as treating me differently yeah a few have. One of my Doctors is actually treating me different now and is acting more like the Doctor she should have been before my surgery and weight loss. In general I still have a lot of weight to lose before I will see much of the treatment change. When this happens I will update this with a few stories I'm sure.