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

I had heard of "stomach stapling" years before but always thought that is was so extreme. A friend of mine had RNY 6 years ago, but I didn't know it at the time. We had recently become reacquainted when I was getting to the research phase, and had started looking into having surgery. I felt I had exhausted all other means of weight loss and could no longer go on living such a limited life. So even though bariatric surgery did still seem extreme, I felt it was my lost resort.

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

I was denied at first, and then approved after the 1st appeal. My approval process took a long time. It was so frustrating, I felt like my life was on hold. The only advice I have is to be patient, persistant and not to get too discouraged.

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

I met with a couple of surgeons before deciding which one to go to. My first meeting with Dr. Meyerowitz was very intense. He was really gruff and seemed to be trying to discourge me from having surgery. I talked to him about it at the 2nd visit and he explained that he likes his patients to know the seriousness of this decision. After the first visit he was always extremely kind.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

The first doctor I went to only did the DS, but I was afraid of being able to eat sugar. I also had read/researched the RNY more deeply. So I decided that RNY was the better option for me.

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?

For a while I was really scared. Then when it come time to actually go to the hospital I was amazingly calm. I felt the any complications I might have couldn't be worse the the condition I was already in. And as sick as it may sound, even death didn't seem as bad as being a 500lb person and still gaining. Life just didn't seem worth living.

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

At the time of surgery I was working at a gym that supported size acceptance and no dieting. So I didn't tell them of my decision.

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

I had open RNY and was in the hospital for 5 days. The nursing staff was wonderful and the biggest problem I had was boredom. The pain was well controlled. Walking was encouraged.

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

I had no complications for the first 9 months. At 9 months I had a hernia that caused an intestinal block and had to be surgically repaired.

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

After I finally got my date I mostly felt relief. It took about a year from the time I decided to pursue having the surgery to my getting my date.

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

I was very emotional. I cried alot and didn't really know why. There were so many changes to adjust to. I worried about being able to eat too much, and worried that I was going to be the only person in the world that this surgery didn't work for. :)

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

I went to a local program.

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

I took a lot of short walks at first, gradually extending the time/distance I walked. After a couple of weeks I was walking about 20mins twice a day.

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

Getting the insurance approval.

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

There are two support groups that have been so helpful. One is run by the patient coordinator for the surgery program and meets once a month. The other is a patient run program that anyone is welcome to attend. I think that the support that I recieve from other patients and no that I'm post-op that I'm able to provide has been the biggest blessing. I think that getting in touch with others is vital to learning how to best use this tool that I've been given.

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

Its from my breast bone to underneath my belly button. It has mostly faded but it is still noticable. I don't mind it at all. I consider it a badge of courage.