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

Thru a friend who had the rny procedure done. I was interested in it. but wary. Finally after years of being obese I checked in for a consultation. What i found out was amazing. This is not something that is a quick fix, you still need to work it.

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

Nightmarish!! After doing all that was required for insurance I was told to get 6 months of physician supervised weight loss. No big thing. Then when I completed all that, the insurance denied me a 2nd time telling me I didi not have enough co-morbidities to qualify. Well, I had Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis, hypertension, high cholesterol, GERD and a BMI of 42. insurance then said I could ask for an outside review of my case and if they approved my insurence would have to pay. My advice for anyone persuing this isto keep at it!!!! It took me 16 months to be approved, but it was worth the wait, even when ther were times when I wanted to drop it.

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

Great. take notes ask questions even if you think theyr'e silly. No question is silly when you are looking into something that is so life changing

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My surgeon made me feel like this was worth doing for my health as my problems were getting worse. My family physician also encouraged me as I was only 50 and felt 90. My husband and children were also very supportive in my decision to regain my health and take back my life.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

After much research and thought i decided to go ahead and have the Roux N Y procedure. I felt that it was the best 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?

I was afraid that if i did not have this I would die. My only concern was i would have problems eating the foods allowed. If you follow your doctors guidelines you shouldn't have any problems, Like with any surgery there are risks, and it is a chance you take. You could do everything by the book and still have complications. In my opinion, this surgery saved my life.

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 was very supportive. They had been worried that I would develop further problems if I didn't get the weight off. Some friends were supportive, and others would look at me and say "you're not that fat". Now the naysayers look at me ans say "wow you look great and you have more confidence and energy" I just thank them and say i fee so much better.

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

They were supportive when i let them know my plans. i was off work only 2 weeks.

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

I was at The Bariatric Center at St. Vincent's hospital Carmel, IN. These people are awesome!!!!! i was hospitalized for 2 days and was treated great. The staff are specially trained to deal with bariatric patients and any time i had questions or concerns they were ther for me. Part of my recovery was to walk every hour doing laps around the unit. Walking is very important in recovery and preventing blood clots. Bring good walking shoes not slippers.

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

i am lactose intolerant and I had problems with milk. I even tried soy milk and just could not drink it. I am able to eat cheese and yogurt with out problems so I adjusted

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

Excited and lookinf forward to starting this new journey. As I previously said, I had ben denied and was approved by independent review. That took only 7 days and then I received a surgery date for 3 weeks later. That sort of rushed things as I had to have a day long diet and nutrition class, a day long pre op work up and a cardiac clearance before surgery. I also had to get my time off set up at work and FMLA papers filed. I was a busy girl!

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

This a complete lifestyle change. You will have days when you say to yourself,"why did I do this?' and the next day will be ok. This affects emotions also. my surgeon recommended an anti depressant to help with the emotional upheval. This helped alot. Also it helps if you have someone who has been thru this to talk to. My friends Janet and Sabrina saved me many times.

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

60 miles No this did not affect me. I had family and friends get me back and forth for appointments til I could drive

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.

First 4 weeks pureed food.Cream soups, oatmeal, jello, yogurt, refried beans ,cottage cheese. Baby foods like strained fruits and vegetables. Next phase was ground meats no beef, mashed potatoes (can have them 1st weeks also)dry cereal (no milk) saltines Need chopped to fine texture.Diet changes every 3-6 months aloong with number of ounces, I started out with 2 ounces each meal and i now have 5 ounces meal. No soda pop for 3-6 months

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

I walked daily. i still waljk daily I is the best exercise you can do. I now work with free weights to help tone arms, back legs,

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

I take 3 Flintstone vitamins daily, Calcium citrate daily,and weekly I take B-12 and B1

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 will vomit if I eat too fast. I noticed my hair felt thinner, so started takin Biotin 1 tab 2x day. My hair is normally thin and I didn;t want it to get worse. So, far I have had only on episode of dumping and was it awful. I'm 6 months out from surgery and feel pretty fortunate

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

The wait for the surgery. The best is the way I feel now.

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

St. Vincent has support groups thru out the state. i meet once monthly with mine and i also do online support groups

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

Mine is laproscopic I have 5 little puncture marks from the tools and the drain. They are fading fast.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none at this point.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. People who normally would walk by me before now will stop and say Hi and friends will say how great I look. My husband said he stuck with me thru thin and thick and wer'e back to thin again, he tells me he now has to get back to his fighting weight.