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

My experience with insurance was easier than I thought it would be. I had heard such horror stories. I am not sure if it was of my entire case or if I was just lucky, but I was approved before I even knew it, and was scheduled to have the surgery within about 3 weeks of my 1st seminar.

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

Was very informative. Very blunt speaking in terms of complications, and the what if's, and very comforting as well. He explained in detail everything that would be done, what it took, and my part in it. Everything he would do to prevent the complications from arising. To get the most out of your 1st visit, is to do a little research on your own, and compare with what he/she tells you. Also WRITE down all of your questions before you go. You will hear so much and learn so much, that what you REALLY want to know, you will forget to ask. Never be afraid or concerned with asking. This is a MAJOR surgery, and it will alter your entire life. So no matter if it takes 20 mins or 4 hours, make sure you ask all you want to ask, and express any concerns you have.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Back pain. I could not live with it another day. I still hurt, don't get me wrong, was not a mircle cure, but I was taking 10 7.5/750 Vicodine a day, and now I am taking 2 ultram 50mg once every 2 days.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

i wanted the one that had all the best results, less infection, and less death rate. I studied them all, and I took each one into consideration, and I felt that the RnY (lap) 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 I would be too over weight for them to even do the surgery as lap. I was afraid that the amount of anesthesia required to knock me out, would cause me not to wake up. I was afraid of too much blood loss, or that my body just wouldn't be able to take the intrusion. And anyone having these fears, need to tell your doctor of them, tell them how you truly feel. I felt more comfortable after seeing others that have had the surgery. People larger than I was, older than I was, and with medical issue's such as bad lungs, heart, and a multiple of other things, and they did just fine. Other than my weight and back, I am as healthy as a horse, I have a strong heart, and a stubborn streak. I am just too damn stubborn to let a surgery do me in.

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 mother and father were happy for me and were all for the surgery. They were the ones that had told me about it early on. My other family, were supportive, but scared, and didn't think such dratic measures had to be taken. My husband didn't want me to have it, didn't think I was a good candidate, and knew from past experience with two of his friends, how the surgery was, and in both cases they'd been really sick. But I had his full support and he was with me all the way. Same goes with after surgery, but it didn't stop them from eating cake and ice cream in front of me, but I am really ok with that. I wouldn't change anything in the way I communicated. Just tell people like it is, they accept or they don't. No need to sugar coat anything.

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

they didn't have an option to respond... I had been out of work several months prior to my decision. I am currently still out of work, because my back will not allow me to return.

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 good, seeing as how it was my first stay in one since I was 3 and had my tonsils out. My mother was with me the whole time, and she was once a nurse. I was in the hospital about 3 days. I cannot give a clear account on my stay as someone who would have if they were alone. The staff only came in to bring my meals, to check my vitals, and to give me my shots. I am not sure if they didn't come see me because my mother was there, or if they just didn't have the time. My mother feels they were very negligent. There was anything I can think of to bring for your stay, other than someone to stay with you, just incase you need something and no one is around.

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

No

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 felt that it was moving fast. Way too fast. I delt with that by telling myself, the sooner in, the sooner out. The sooner I would be losing weight, and making myself better.

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

Mine was a lap RnY, and I didn't have too much pain. I was tender, like a bruise, but nothing major. My back on the other hand, lordy be, hurt like it never had before, but I knew that was just from lying on a stone (felt like stone) table for 4 hours. I moved slow, and didn't feel like eating (drinking really) My clear broth's. Drinking water even was a pain in the rear. I couldn't take deep breaths and when I did, it hurt right between my shoulder blades. My mother had me walking, and that was slow going, but no pain, other than the deep breathing. The foam in the pouch, and the retching to expel that, was painful around the stomach area, but again, not as bad as I thought it would be. In those weeks my smell was off, everything stunk, or had a strong odor, and my taste was awful. Even water tasted like dirty feet smell. The tummy pain or ache lasted about a week or so, no real pain, just uncomfortable. The deep breathing lasted about 5 weeks, and the smell/taste thing still happens today (6 months out) but not near as bad as before. I still produce the foam in the pouch, but it is no longer the thick clop that it was, now it looks like thick spit.

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

5 mins

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 week all I had was clear liquids second week I moved up to full liquids and I straied all the soups for the first 3 days of those weeks, but then i asked my doc, if I could blend the soups (clam chowder, mushroom , chicken) and eat it that way. I was given the ok and so I continued with that until week 3. In week three I ate supper soft food that I could mash with my tongue against my teeth. Asparagus, peas, corn, carrots and eggs. My meats I pureed in the blender, and I was able to tolerate chicken, pork, and fish. In my fourth week I was able to eat solids, and stuck with chicken, pork, fish, shredded turkey, ham, and the same veggies. What I did was try ONE new thing a day, so that if I got sick, I would know what caused it. The only time that I got ill was when I drank out of a straw. I was not thinking, and lord did I pay. I had severe cramps, and major vomiting. No food, just lots of frothy liquid. I continue to try new things, but only one at a time, and I have not yet found anything that I can not tolerate.

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

in the 1st week, I was walking for about 20 mins 4 times a day. I walked to the park, and of course once there I had to rest and then walked back to the house, and I did this twice a day, then the 2nd week I was able to walk to the park, and around it and back without a rest, but also keep in mind that my back was killing me. Week three I was able to walk the whole block and still have enough enegery to play with the dog for a bit, but my back did protest. But I was afraid of clots and the like. Now I can walk the mall, or the stores, and only feel minor aches in my back, but I have more energy everyday.

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

Liquid centrun (YUCK!!!!) and 2 Tums a day, now centrum with iron once a day, and calcium pills once a day (much much better) and Vit. B12 once a week

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?

Vomiting: That frothy foam liquid, I still have it today, but not as thick or as much. I deal. Hairloss: I didn't start to lose it really until about 2 months out, and it was slow at first, 3 or 4 strands at a time, and now 6 months out, losing it by clumps in the shower, and several strands when dry. I have tried to up my protein and use different shampoos and conditioners for hair strengthning.

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

Not being able to actually DRINK anything. I mean drink it, not sip it. About 6 weeks out, I was messing around the house, and I hadn't drank anything for hours, and I was so thirsty. I wasn't thinking and took a big swallow of water, and it went down fine, no reflux, no pain. Lord, if not for fear of tearing a stitch or my back hurting, I would have done a cartwheel. I was that happy.

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

I just have family. You need to have someone that cares about you, and what you have done to your body. Someone to understand that you are starting over, as if you were just born. Your stomach is about as small as an infants. Any support you have is a plus.

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

I have 6 little ones, and yes, I was briefed on where they would be, and how big. The one where the tube was, was/is bigger than the others, and is not pretty, but it is not as bad as you would think. and in time, I am sure they will fade to almost nothing. Even now, I have one, that I can no longer just see in the mirror, I have to hunt for it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have not had any yet, but will keep you informed. 6 months out now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Nope, they treat me the same.