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

I have had friends have this surgery thirty years ago and since then also. But I always felt that it was giving in and I should be able to do it with will power and courage. I saw a piece on the televsion that said it was being done here in my city and with great results. It took a lot of research on the internet, at the library and my friends before I gave up my stubborn idea that I had to do it (loss weight) by my self. It took a lot to say yes I need outside help and how do I get it. It took a lot to call BC/BS and be afraid of rejection. And my own doctor kept saying "you did it before you can do it again just keep trying". It took alot to tell him I could not do it by myself again. I did not want to fail again. I needed help.

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

Find out exactly what is requred to schedule your appointment to see the doctor and schedule your surgery. What is needed and who has to call and get it started. What does it take to get the ball rolling. Be aggressive. It's your body and your need for surgery. The problems I had when I called for an appointment I was told that BC/BS would have to approve my surgery. I thought the surgeon would call for the approval. Nothing was said to the contrary. I waited a couple of weeks and called the doctor back and was told no letter had been received from BC/BS. So I called BC/BS and was told there was no request for a letter. Calling back the surgeon's office was an experience because it was obivios how misinformed I was about the process. So I started it all off and call BC/BS. Then found out later I had to have a doctor request the letter, my regular doctor. More fun. So it only took two weeks to get approval once I understood the hoops and jumped them.

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

The first visit was also the last visit I would have before I would see him in the operating room. But I was told on the day of the appointment to expect to be there several hours. I was. But everything was explained, poked, prodded, looked at, examined and tests taken. A complete medical history was taken and reviewed. Everything, procedures, diet, what to expect was given to you in that one appoint. It was effienct but very busy. Almost too much. Handouts, numbers to call with other questions everything was given to you in the one appointment. Surgery was scheduled before you left the office. You had everything you needed before surgery

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was very tired. was trying to be a diebetic. My body was slowly breaking down and I was having trouble sleeping, working, and then my husband became very ill. I knew I could not take care of my self let alone continue to care for him with out help. We have no money for outside help and I was not going to have my children take care of both of us when if I lost weight I could do the job. I needed to do this for my self and then my family. But I know I would have made the same decicion but my husbands illness sped up things. He now needs constant care and I have to do it. I can not do it if I dont get help or lose weight. I will not burden my kids or other family members with my responsibility. It all boils down to the buck stops here. I must lose weight.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I saw a televison health news piece about the sucess several folks had with the surgery. I researched the internet and the library and ask my friends that had the procedure done several years ago. No one said that they were sorry to have had it. All would do it again and no one had gained the weight back. I found Dr Helling and he was doing the RNY and that is what made my mind up. I needed to stay in KCMO for the surgery and Dr Helling came very highly recommended.

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 worried at first. But I am very healthy as a rule and after doing the research I felt confident that with a good surgeon and team it would be ok. You need to do the research. You need to consider each aspect of the operation, both before and after. It is a life style change. I do not expect to go back to the old eating ways. I know that my eating habits will change. I have explained that to my family and friends. I will be me with a few modifications. I have listen to the horror storys that are second and third hand. You know I had a friend that had this or my friend had a friend that was really sick. These folks are not your friends and will talk about you just as they have their other friends. You must make up your own mind and be firm that this is what you need and want. Yes I know you could die. But then I can die if I stay this way. and the percentage is hight if I do nothing.

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 know I am head strong enough that if I want to do something and have made my mind up I will do it. How ever I have sshared every assppect with them and have even taken them to the doctors with me. so they have a chance to meet and deal with their own fears. They have all ask the doctor questions. No wonder the surgeon only has one big visit. They have been very supportive and are helping me deal with the care of their father until I can get back home and can take over. We have had a family meeting and everyone has volunteered to help and have each taken resposibility over some aspect of the household care their father will need till get back on my feet, They are taking vacation to see that we are cared for during the healing time.

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

I have no employer at this time. I hope to return to work at a later date after surgery. I expect to be recouping for 4 to 6 weeks.

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

it was terrible all 5 days of it. the special bed was awfull. The staff was slow to help and the hospital was under staffed the nurse came to the door and yelled at mne and my family she was too busy couldnt they help me.

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

yes I lost my spleen and bled a lot internally. I was given 4 pints of blood and scared my family out of their witts.

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 was very weak but after I got where I could move around I got to feeling better. I needed a lot of help getting up and down but I rented a hospital bed and it was much better after that.

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

I needed help not necessaryly with my self but with keeping the house clean and the meals fixed for my husband. you can not do everything you oncve did but it will come back grdually.

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

I had surgery about 10 miles from my house in the wame city. so that was not too bad. I was close to the doctor also and I did not drive until one month after the surgery.

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 could only tolerate a small amount to very soft food and some soup. Mashed potatoes, applesause. cottage cheese, mashed beans, peanut butter, crackers, milk & protien drink. I was not able to eat meat or tuna or that type of food at first. Nor could I handle veggies. The milk did not make mme lactose intolerant. Of course no carbinated beverages ever. It hurts too bad to get air trapped in your stomach After a few months of that diet I can now eat hamburger that is crumbled. I do not do well with pork or beef roast I can eat some chicken that is very moist and well cooked. the leg or wing is the best. I can eat gravy so I make out. I do not over eat. that is the best thing from the surgery.

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

I was very slow at first. and as I lose the weight I get more and more active. I find I can do so much more than I thought I could. It is wonderful. I still can not run but I know I will be able to after it is all over. I have lost 100 lbs and it is great.

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

try to dissolve your vitamins in water before you takle them. If they do not dissolve well in water the will not dissolve well in your stomach. I kept getting stuff stuck in the hole that goes out of my stomach and I would throw up till I realized that the vitamins were not dissolving. so I took childrens chewables. and still do. I take zinc, and folic acid, multivitamins and I try to take two aday. so I get what I need. My hair isd growing back now. finally after 6 m9nths

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 no longer have sleep apneia. I lost my hair and am still bald in several spots. but it will grow back. I still throw up if I eat too fast. too much, or soemthing that does not agree with me. I have had a few problems with dumping but not many. I do not feel nausiated unless I get air trapped in my stomach and then I have to force my self to throow up[ till that feeling is gone. and it does hurt like the dickens to have air trapped. I can not seem to belch like I did before. so no carbinated beverages.

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

the first few days with out water. I wish they could test the stomach right after surgery or during surgery so you would not have to wait so long after surgery to take a small sip of water of at least ice chips. Then the wait for surgery is also bad. I thought that I had lost my mind to let some one do this to me. it took three months before I could say I would reccommend this surgery to anyone else. But 100 lbs down I would do it again. in a heart beat. I am not sorry now.

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

My scar is huge but is getting better, it is nolonger red like it was at first. It stil hurts once in a while it does not like to be rubbed or scratched. Just leave it alone and it does fine.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I plareau every 10 lbs or so. It makes me nervous and I worry a lot. but it seems to just drop over night and then plateau agin. I pray alot and god seems to understand. I still have about 100lbs that I want ot take off.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes folks notice me now when they did not when I was really big., They ask my option and help when they just ignored me or over looked me before. Folks smile at me now instead of just looking at or over me. it is nice. Everyone that is thin should have to be overweight for a little while just to see how it feels to be fat.