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

I saw the advertisements on TV about the Bariatric Treatment Centers. For several months, I thought *I am not overweight enough for that type surgery*. About 4 months ago - my eating habits HAD NOT CHANGED - I got on the scales & was 10 pounds heavier than I was at my last weigh-in- and the HEAVIEST I had ever weighed in my LIFE!!! My initial impression was *fear*. This sounded like a dangerous procedure.

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

I am with AETNA POS - AT&T is self-insured & AETNA manages the policy. I am *guessing* the approval went right away without any hassles because AT&T has ALWAYS taken care of its employees' health (mostly) unconditionally.

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

Dr. Horrilleno requires attendance to a seminar that he holds monthly. There appeared to be around 75 present - (can you IMAGINE him having each person in an individual consult?). The group environment is HIGHLY appropriate because SOME of us do NOT know all the questions to ask - the dialogue was VERY beneficial. The good *Doctor* answered each & every question- NEVER hedging on an answer.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Probably the support sights I have read - Mayo Clinic, this site, a chat with Carnie Wilson on ivillage.com. Also, my son, who is 30 years old was VERY supportive when I gave him the information. He watched his grandmother die from complications of morbid obesity & I KNOW it would break his heart again for his Mom to follow down that path.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Dr. Horrilleno lost a patient last fall because of malfunctioning equipment during lap surgery. He stopped doing lap temporarily. I was comfortible with open as my PCP & I discussed the 2 options. She & I agreed that the open seemed safest for me. I had an umbilical hernia that needed repair & he was taking my gall bladder. I am happy I had open.

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?

Leaks. Respiratory problems (I am asthmatic). Not awakening from the anesthesia. I would say to others considering the surgery that YES, there are risks involved in ANY major surgery. But WHAT are the alternatives? I watched my Mother die 2 years ago from the complications of morbid obesity. It's NOT a pretty site. Her last years were spent sitting in a chair that had a lift to help her up. She had NO life outside of the television. I tried to help her on several occasions, as did my siblings, off & on years ago but she just didn't have the dedication to stick to anything that would help her to lose weight & keep it off. I am not sure this surgery would have be feasible for her as she was 72 when she passed away - but perhaps 15-20 years sooner.... had we known about it :*(

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?

Here is an email/letter I sent: Hello my Family & Friends, I want to share with you, briefly, information about a journey I am about to embark on very soon. (the Roux-n-y gastric bypass). It is MY journey to good health:) Family genes can cause us to fight weight problems our entire life - lose weight - gain back twice as much as we have lost. It's a never-ending battle. My Mom died last year from the complications of obesity. My love for my Son & his family has helped me to decide to make a change for ME before I get to THAT point. I will be the healthy Grandmother that my grandbabies deserve:) The Roux-n-y procedure (gastric by-pass) is simple: The surgeon makes a small stomach pouch by separating a section of the exisitng stomach & also shortens the intestinal tract/attaching it to the new stomach. This NEW & IMPROVED tiny stomach forces you to eat MUCH less. It also disallows the sugars/fats that add weight on weight-prone people. Its *behavior modification* extrordinare!! Here are some URLs that you can find out more information if you are interested. http://www.morbidobesity.com/ This goes into the procedure (click surgical procedure) also what it is like for the patient...(faq(s) & what to eat, etc). http://spotlighthealth.com/morbid_obesity/mo/mo.htm This is the daughter of Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. Carnie does chat rooms with others to share her success. VERY good site. http://www.bariatric.com/ This is the group my surgeon is associated with. Dr. Julie Leverton:) She has done over 300 of the procedures and is totally awesome. The site links answer a lot of questions & explains the procedure in detail. http://www.mayohealth.org/invoke.cfm?id=HQ01465 Mayo clinic info - includes details about the Roux-n-y procedure that I will have. It won't be easy... FAR FROM IT... This is probably the BIGGEST commitment I will ever have to make in my life... but in the long run --- my health will benefit from it.... I will benefit in SO many ways:) Love & blessing heading into this holiday season:) Cathleen

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

I am retired:))

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 jello didn't melt for 4 hours - that is VERY suspicious! LOL I had surgery on the 5th, went home on the 8th - so a total of 3 1/2 days. The most important things I had was my robe & slippers - to make a fast *getaway* up & down the halls:) Also my own shampoo, soap & lotions for my shower (I was able to shower on the 3rd day). And my telephone list - you can't remeber a number to SAVE your life on drugs! :)

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

No complications.

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

My surgeon & hospital are only 25 minutes away. No undue burdens travel-wise.

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

My drain tube was left in when I was discharged from the hospital. It was removed on my first visit 11 days post-op. That night, the hole left from the tube started bleeding. I was extremely concerned, phoned the after-hours service. Dr *H* called me in less than 5 minutes, advising me to put pressure on it. As it turned out, it was as he suspected - a vein that had been nicked when the tube was pulled out. Pressure to the area, a good night's sleep & all was well the next day:)

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

My surgeon's support group monthly is fantastic. There is a clinical psychologist there for each meeting. Dr *H* asks for our input on speakers for the next meetings. We had a plastic surgeon speak with us this past week.. very informative.

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

Scar is still somewhat red but not bad compared to others that I have seen.... not sure what my expectations - but I am not disappointed.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I followed my surgeon's guidelines to the LETTER. NO protein drinks NO carbs Lots of water & protein. I have had NO plateaus. The weight has fallen steadily.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Absolutely! Men smile, wink, notice the new *me*... Of course, I attribute that to my new self-image. I feel it in my walk - that *air* of self-confidence is back.