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

One day, my husband, who is extremely overweight, came home from a doctor's appointment. He was very angry, so I asked what was the problem. He told me how dare his doctor recommend this surgery for him. Trying to be supportive, I say, "lets go and check this out to see what it is all about". I went with him to the meeting. When I heard about all the co-morbities associated with obesity, I started thinking that maybe this surgery could help me. After all, I was on 17 medications a day, plus I had just been diagnosed as a diebetic. I also was having trouble carrying my weight at this point.

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

I was very fortunate in the end. I went to the meeting in November of 2002. At that time we have Athnea. At the end of the meeting the rep took my name and number and a copy of my insurance card and said that she would get in touch with me later. Therefore, I left it in her hands and God's. Boy did I pray for approval. In January of 2002 I recived a letter from Athena saying that my husbands's job was changing their insurance company. I called Liv Life back and told them this information. At this point I was informed of two thing: l. my new insurance would not cover everything in this particular hospital, 2. Athena had lost the paper work. At this point I figured my insurance company lost the paper work on purpose so that they can procastinate until the New Year so I would not be covered by them. With this on Monday, Feburary 1, 2003, I called the other local hospital to see if United Health Care which was my new insurance company would be covered there. I had a friend that told me medicare would pay for the operation so being disabled, I applied for it. When I called the second hospital and told them of the two insurances I was covered with, by Wednesday of the same week I was approved. I asked what would be my payment to the holspital. Well the young lady told me that I would have no financial obligation because of the two insurances. I agreed to go with the operation. On Thursday of the same week I saw the psychologist, on Friday of the same week I saw the nutritionist and on Monday of the following week, I saw the surgeon. My surgery was scheduled for March 10, 2003. When all was said and done I ended up having to pay at least five thousand dollars out of my posket. My advice to any one is to get it in writing, so therefore you have a leg to stand on for any financial disbutes you may have at a later date. I did not say anything because this operation saved my life and I would do it over and over again. The price I ended up paying was well worth my life. I am still paying off the doctors but they were very kind to let me make payments.

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

The doctor and I discussed why I wanted the surgery. He showed my what he would be doing. He reasured me that everything would be ok. He just made me feel very comfortable and reassuring. If you have any questions, this is the time to ask. If you are unsure, go to more support group meetings to see if this is for you. Ask about his success rate, how long has he been doing this.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My decision to have the surgery was when I became a diabetic. I was not going to give myself needles every day. During the meetings it was mentioned that this surgery cures 90% of the diabetic problems in most people. I went with the odds and was lucky. Every diabetic friend that I have and has had this operation, is no longer a diabetic. They are no longer on insulin or taking any medication for this condition.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

One of my sister had had the one with the ports, she had not lost any weight after a year. I really did notknow much about any of the surgeries except the one I had. I had the open, roun y gastric bypass.

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 can honestl say that I had no fears. I had made up my mind from the very first support group meeting. I felt comfortable with the surgeon. My sister had the operation 20 years ago when it first came out. Since that time, she has never gained her weight back. She was and still is my roll model. The night before the surgery, being semi-religious, I lit a candle and prayed to god saying that my life at this point was in his hand. If he wanted me to have it, I would make it. I was headed for death row anyway. At least this way, I had an opportunity to redeem myself. If someone is looking into this surgery, they are already in poor health some where along the line. If you follow the instructions of your doctor and caregivers, there should not be complications.

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?

I really did not allow anyone to respond to this procedure at all. I went to the first meeting. I liked what I heard, by the time the meeting was over my decision was made. Once everything was approved I told family and friends. There was no turning me back. Of course I had negative feed back. I did not let it influence me at all. Needless, to say, my husband prefers that loaf of bread to better health and a long life span. He did not have it done. I do believe he has put on an additional 30 pounds since I lost my 120 pounds. This is so sad for him.

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

I do not work. I am disabled.

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 ok. The reason I say this is because at the time, this particular facility did not have a good staff for weight loss surgery. The only person who was well informed was the head nurse and she was off that week. I kept asking for chips and ice pop, (of which I had brought my own) mind you. After the third day, a nurse came pouncing in the room and said, "look Miss you can't have ice cream and potatoe chips you just had gastric bypass. I looked at her and said, " lady if I wanted to have ice cream and potatoe chips I would not have had the surgery. I want ice chips and a sugar free ice pop. Naturally she smelled of delicious chacolate and smoke. ASK HOW WELL IS THE STAFF TRAINED? By the time I got home seven days later I was dehydrated. My fault I guess. I must mention, that I was told at this particular time of my gastric bypass surgery, the staff was mainly composed of temporary employees.

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

I did not have any complications from the surgery. Against my doctor's order's, I wore a surgical binder. This helped to support my inscision. If you learn to lay on your side after surgery instead of on your back, it will not be as painful for you stitches. I believe I had some bleeding that is why I stayed for seven days. I had to have blood. All in all, other than the nurse I would not complain.

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 only had maybe three weeks from the first time I saw the doctor until the actual surgery date. I did not have time for any anxiety. My mind was made up and nothing was changing it.

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

I went home to a house full of people that were eating a table full of food. I looked at that table of food and said, "No more will I be a prisioner of food. Thank you God." The very next day when I went to get out of bed, I went straight to the floor. I was concerned. I tried to call the doctor. He was not available. I realized at that moment that I did not have enough fluids because of the nurse. I immediately began hydrating my body. After that. I am happy to say I hadno problems what so ever.

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

The hospital was only 15 minutes from my house. I am lucky. My after care is across the street from the hospital. Once again, I was one of the fortunate ones.

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

I walked as instructed. I did not over do it with exercise. I followed instructions given to me by the doctor. As the days went by, I was able to do much more.

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

I take and sell isotonic vitamins. These vitamins are in powder form. Mix them with water and they become a liquid. What is great about them is that they are absorbed into the body within five minutes compared to the hour or two for regular vitamins. Since we no longer have that time to digest, these are the vitamin of choice for me.

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 only had one bad experience since the surgery. It was my fault. I went to a wedding and drank a glass of punch. The only other choice I had was to drink liquor. I did not do that. Within fifteen minutes of drinking the punch, it came out. I had to leave the wedding. DO NOT drink sugary things too soon after the surgery, or if you are not in walking distance of a change of clothing. Be warned.

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

The worst part of the bariatric surgery, for me, is paying the bill. I was one of the fortunate ones. I never had a problem. I came through the surgery great, and until this day, I feel like I regained at least 30 years to my life.

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

We are very fortunate in our area. Our surgeon is our support leader. He is there every month. He is always recruiting new people and always helping the old ones. He is very caring and devoted to his patients. He wants us to see him at different time intivals to keep track of our progress. His nursing assistant is always trying to get us guest speackers to help in any problems that may arise for us. The meeting is informal. We are on a first name basis except for the doctor. Our meeting is so helpful and informative, we want additional ones, but there is just not time for it for the doctor and his staff. We just can't get enough time together to share our experiences.

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

My scar is ugly. My obesed body was far more uglier than any scar could be. At least with the scar, I can cover it up with clothing. With all the weight that I was carring, there was no covering that mass of body up. The scar has turned out to be a thin line with time and patients. I use vitamine E oil on it all the time.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have stablized for one solid year now. I lost 120 pounds and I guess my body says no more for now. I am going away for two weeks next week. When I come back, I will try to get over this plateau. I guess I have to become more aggressive in my eating and exercise routines. I did not lose nor gained in one year, therefore, I am pleased about that.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes I do noticed that people do treat me differently. One sad thing happened to me. I lost my best friend. There was four of us. We were called the "Ya Ya Sisters" being from a little town in Louisiana. I was the first in the group to have the surgery. I knew I would be because I am agressive and out going and not afraid. Anyway I think she drifted because we had the surgery and she did not. I never did this person anything she just left the group. 2007, just to update, the friend in our YaYa group who did not have the surgery died in 2005. Her husband said that she weighted 445lbs. What a shame that she just couldn't bring herself to having the surgery. Surgery is scary, but not having it is even scarier.