OT: Research Paper Thesis
I am currently in a Composition class in college. I am in the process of collecting information of my argumentative thesis. The topic of my thesis is "Weight Loss Surgery, All the preparing is worth the end result" This is the very 1st research paper I have ever written.... I hope to do really well with it being I have experienced this topic.
I am wondering if you could help me with information.
What surgery did you have?
Do you feel the preparing you did for surgery or banding was worth your time?
What things did you have to do?
How much time passed from when you took the first step to the day of surgery?
If you could go back, what would you change?
Was all the preparing you did worth it in the end?
You can email me personally if you choose to. It is [email protected]
I appreciate any feedback I receive, I will NOT add names to the stories unless you want me to.
THANK YOU!
Lorri
I'm happy to help you with this project....
What surgery did you have? Lap RNY
Do you feel the preparing you did for surgery or banding was worth your time? Definitely, I have seen what has happened with people who had surgery without doing the prep work and what a difficult time they have had.
What things did you have to do? I attended a bariatric support group every other week for over a year before my surgery, it really helped me go into my surgery with my eyes wide open! I also had to get many medical clearances due to pre-existing conditions. It was nice to know that all of my docs were on board and supportive of my decision.
How much time passed from when you took the first step to the day of surgery? I am probably one of the unusual people that took 7 years between my first step and my day on the table. I had 2 major health setbacks (a cancer diagnosis and gangrene) that I needed to heal from before having bariatric surgery.
If you could go back, what would you change? I would have done it all 10 years earler!! As far as the end process, I would have liked to have met the nurses that I would be meeting with post-op- and worked with a nutritionist that understood bariatric surgery better. I also would have attended the informal coffee groups as a pre-op to find out what "real life" involves.
Was all the preparing you did worth it in the end? Definitely!! I feel bad for people who go in unprepared for all of the lifetime changes that need to be made to control their obesity permanently!
Feel free to drop me a note if youneed any other information. You may also use my name if necessary.
Reenie
I had to quit drinking pop, and quit my bad eating habits........It took 2 months from the time I thought about it until the big day that changed my life forever.
The only thing I would change is to do it sooner!!!!!!!
All the preparing was way worth it!!!!!!!!!
Good luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you feel the preparing you did for surgery or banding was worth your time? Yes. I attended 3 orientations, and went through 2 approval processes. I was denied the first try, and tried again about a year or 2 later. It took about 3-6 months from orientation to have surgery.
What things did you have to do? I went to orientation, dietician appts, MMPI, psych eval meeting, meeting with surgeon. I didn't have to do supervised weight loss because I had so many years seeing my doc when it was documented I was on weigh****chers.
How much time passed from when you took the first step to the day of surgery? 3-6 months
If you could go back, what would you change? I would have dealt with the emotional issues for why I ate. It may or may not have changed my having surgery, but finding the source of my overeating would have been helpful I think.
Was all the preparing you did worth it in the end? Absolutely! I would do it again in a heartbeat - any discomfort was WAY worth the results!
What surgery did you have? Lap RNY
Do you feel the preparing you did for surgery or banding was worth your time?
Yes, at the time I wondered if it was over kill. Later when I seen how others got hardly any education, I was happy I had all the information I needed.
What things did you have to do?
I attended the bariatric information meeting first off. I then started going to a monthly support group meetings through that program. This helped a great deal; I was able to meet people before hand that had already had surgery and others in the same point of the process as I was. It took me 5 months to finally make up my mind to have the surgery and send in the first paper work. In that time I had done a lot of research into the different types of surgery, and made my decision based on what I thought was best for me. Our plan required I take a nutrition class that ran for 3 months (meeting twice a month). I had to have the Phsyc Eval and meet with the surgeon of my choice, in the program. I needed to quit smoking at least 2 months before surgery; I was able to do this 5 months prior to my date. Once I had my approval from the insurance company, I then had to do a taste class to try out the different liquid pre op diet I would have to do and the puree foods I would be eating after surgery.
How much time passed from when you took the first step to the day of surgery?
It took me a year. From day of information meeting to surgery. That was with me dragging my feet.
If you could go back, what would you change?
I have not found anything as of yet that I would have changed. The medical team was very supportive and everything was on track.
Was all the preparing you did worth it in the end?
Definitely! At the time I would of said it was all over kill and that we didn’t need all the things we went through. Now, I am glad I had all this information from them and went in very educated. I see people who get no support or education and it is not a pretty sight!
www.onetruemedia.com/shared
Lap Band
Do you feel the preparing you did for surgery or banding was worth your time?
I didn't do as much as some people. I knew I had to do something and when the band was suggested to me, it sounded like exactly what I was looking for. I did most of my research on the internet.
What things did you have to do?
My insurance required a 6 month supervised diet - I met with my PCP once a month and also did Weigh****chers - lost 30 lbs. Had the psych eval and met with the nurse and surgeon.
How much time passed from when you took the first step to the day of surgery?
I went to a seminar in March of '06 and had surgery in October of '06, so a little over 7 months.
If you could go back, what would you change?
The band was still relatively new around here in '06 so there weren't any support groups. I wish I would have found obesityhelp.com sooner to be a little better prepared.
Was all the preparing you did worth it in the end?
I'm glad I knew as much as I did. The aftercare with the band is so important, and I'm glad I understood that.
Jean B.
267/237/171/149 1st nurse's visit/surgery/current/goal
down 66 lbs. since surgery; 96 lbs. total
1. Lap RNY
2. Absolutely worth the time. I had a few extra hurdles along the way but yes...well worth the time.
3.Had all my doctors and mental health professionals write letters on my behalf.
Went back for a few years and had my weight loss attempts documented by my doctor and the fitness person I was working with.They also wrote second letters on my behalf.(thus I didn't have to do the 6 month pre surgery weight loss program as required).
Journal-ed everything I ate for over a year prior to surgery.
Journal-ed about my exercise and my feelings for a year prior to surgery.
Went to my surgeons support groups a year prior to surgery.
Did the 10 day liquid diet.I really didn't mind it at all. I felt very cleansed!
4.About 1 long year.
5.I would have had this surgery many years ago!!!
6. I would do it over in a heartbeat. My health and my life has changed for the better many times over!! Not to mention I have met so many wonderful other WLS people...that is a bonus!!
Hope this is what you wanted.
Hugs....connie d
Do you feel the preparing you did for surgery or banding was worth your time? Yes
What things did you have to do? 6 month supervised weight anagement by my PCP; 2 week liquid diet, psyc eval; nutritionist appts
How much time passed from when you took the first step to the day of surgery? I went to my first info session back in 2002 but chickened out at that time. Then in March 2007 I started the process again and had surgery Jan 29, 2008.
If you could go back, what would you change? Prepare more positively for the 2 week liquid diet. Wouldn't of had last supper syndrome for a month before and then quit eating cold turkey. Would have gradually weaned myself off of sugar. I would have also attended coffee get together sooner didn't go to my first one until I was over a year out.
Was all the preparing you did worth it in the end? Yes!!
Start 323 ~ Current 199 ~
What surgery did you have?
Lap Turned Open RNY (due to intra operative complications with anatomy, scar tissue, and need to get a good pouch and internal suture line)
Do you feel the preparing you did for surgery or banding was worth your time? Absolutely
What things did you have to do?
3 dietician visits
Began exercising
Stopped drinking carbonated beverages, began chewing everything very well; stopped drinking with meals and for 30 minutes after meals
Psychological evaluation, cardiac work up (required because of my age)
How much time passed from when you took the first step to the day of surgery?
4 months
If you could go back, what would you change? Nothing
Was all the preparing you did worth it in the end? YES! It is one year since my surgery, and I would do it over again in a minute, even knowing the complications. I cannot believe how good I feel these days!
