Jeannie A.

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Obesity & Me

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

I have tried to lose weight all of my life, from different diet plains too diet pills and doctors. These things only helo for a short while. Then I would gain it back plus, until now with the new tool that I will be given on the 27th of July. I finallly will be able to keep it all off for a life time with a new life stile. This is going to be so wonderful.

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

I have had hard times to find a good job, and somepeople have alway looked down on me for being over weight.

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

I now do so much and life is really GRAND.

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

My insurance did not pay for my surgery, I paid cash!

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

He was a wonderful Man.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Doctors care

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

full by pass

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?

no fears, willing take the chance on a new life. I have Jehovah on my side.

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?

I had not SUPPORT, until I started my OH SUPPORT GROUP and all of my FRIENDS here on OH..

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

working employer and staff are very supportive.

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

I arrived at the hospital in Annistion Alabama on July 27, 2006. I did not come home until August 06,2006.

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

Yes! I went into cardic arrest on the table and then 24 hours later I went into renal kidney failure.

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 had not anxiety, I could not wait until that wonderful day.

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

I stayed focused on myself, because I had a NEW LIFE ahead of me.

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

my travel time was just a little over an hour away, no affect at all.

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

very limited, it was about 6 to 8 months before I was really feeling doing a lot.

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 still have these problems today and I'm 3 years post op.

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

not having the family support.

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

I'm the leader of SOUTHSIDE WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP IN GEORGIA.

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

I have none that I can see.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Since I'm no longer heavy, YES people traet me drfferent.
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