DEBBIE DICKSON

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  • BMI 50.9

Obesity & Me

Describe your behavioral and emotional battle with weight control before learning about bariatric surgery.

I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING THERE IS OUT THERE. EVEN TO THE POINT OF FAD DIET'S AND JUST NOT EATING. I'VE TRIED THE 1200 CALORIE DIET AND STILL MANAGED TO GAIN WEIGHT AND THATS WITH FOLLOWING IT TO THE LETTER. AFTER MY HEART ATTACK THEY PUT ME ON A NO SODIUM DIET AND NO FAT, NO CHOLESTROL DIET AND STILL MANAGED TO GAIN WEIGHT. I AM NOW DRINKING 3 PROTEIN SHAKES A DAY. SO AS YOU SEE I'M STILL TRYING. SO THIS IS A VERY LAST STEP AND I'VE RESEARCHED IT TILL NO TOMORROW. I'VE ASKED QUESTIONS TILL I HAVE NO QUESTIONS LEFT AND TO THE POINT THAT I THINK THAT THEY ARE TIRED OF ME ASKING QUESTIONS.

What was (is) the worst thing about being overweight?

THE WORST THING TO ME IS TRYING TO GET UP OUT OF CHAIRS THAT SIT LOW, ALWAYS BEING OUT OF BREATH WHEN ALL YOU DID WAS WALK TO THE MAIL BOX, TIRED OF HURTING FROM OSTEO ARTHRITIS EVERYDAY, TIRED OF PEOPLE SAYING I CAN LOOSE WEIGHT IF I JUST TRIED HARDER. I'M JUST TIRED OF BEING TIRED AND GOING INTO THE STORES AND NOT FINDING ANYTHING THAT FITS.

If you have had weight loss surgery already, what things do you most enjoy doing now that you weren't able to do before?

NONE I HAVEN'T HAD SURGERY YET.

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

I LEARNED ABOUT IT A FEW YEARS BACK AND I'VE RESEARCHED IT FOR 2 YEARS. THIS ISN'T SOMETHING I'M DOING ON A WIM OR AS A PASSING THOUGHT BUT I COULDN'T EVER AFFORD IT AND SO I PUT IT OUT OF MY MIND. THEN I HEARD THAT MEDICAID WILL PAY FOR THE SURGERY SO I DECIDED TO GIVE IT A SECOND LOOK. IAM SO VERY EXCITED TO THINK THAT I CAN FINALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS WEIGHT.

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

I HAVEN'T HAD SURGERY YET BUT IAM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVEING IT DONE. HOPEFULLY VERY SOON.

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

THIS HASN'T HAPPENED YET.

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

THIS HASN'T HAPPENED YET.

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

HAVEN'T HAD SURGERY YET.

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

I DON'T HAVE ONE BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HAD SURGERY YET.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

NONE I HAVEN'T HAD SURGERY YET.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NO BECAUSE I HAVEN'T HAD SURGERY YET.
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