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Obesity & Me

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

I'm been at battle with myself and my weight since I was around 11. I can remember back that far thinking I needed to get it under control and just never could. It only got worse as I got older. When it finally got to the point I was having trouble tying my shoes I knew it was time to find something else.

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

Everything!! Just feeling uncomfortable in your own skin..and the many healthfactors that go with it.

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 am doing the same things...just have an easier time doing them.

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

I don't remember how I found out...probably on TV. I thought it was a great idea..but I was much to afraid because it was so invasive.

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

So far it's been ok...although I'm not approved yet. Advice I have? Document, document, and document!

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

I haven't met him one on one yet. Just at the informational meeting. He did a surgery on my brother and we work for the same hospital so I know 'of' him.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I was 5'2'' and 250 pounds...nuff said.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

At first I as all for the lapband...and then the more I thought about it..and the more information I gathered...I realized that I was not ok with having something inside me for the rest of my life. I like the stability of the RNY.

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?

None really...I have alot of faith in my surgeon.

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 husband was very supportive...my parents were once they did some of their own research.

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

Well..he has ADD so he probably wasn't paying too much attention. But he said it would be interesting because he didn't know very much about it. He's a doctor.

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

My stay was short and sweet..just how I wanted it. I checked in Wed. morning and checked out Friday morning. I didn't really use anything I brought. I planned on knitting but the pain meds kept me pretty sleepy.

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

No complications. I was his first wls patient that didn't even go to the ICU after surgery.

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 was super stoked! I delt with the anxiety by working out and keeping my eye on the prize.

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

I had alot of pain my frist few days..but it went away pretty quick. People should try to keep their lives quiet and ease back into things. Listen to your body.

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

8 miles?

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.

At 5 weeks out I'm still on pureed foods..but having trouble with pork. I seem to be developing an intolerence to milk which I didn't have before.

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

I started working out seriously at 3 weeks out. I walked up until then. I do cardio 5+ days a week and strength train at least twice.

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

I take a Flinstones complete twice a day, tums 1000 mg calcium twice a day, 1 prevacid at night for the first month. And B-12 twice 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?

dumping on milk

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

Screwing around with my insurance company..and the bills :)

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

I am required by my surgeon to attend a monthly support meeting for the first year. It is not important since they barely talk about surgery.

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

I have 5 small scars and they are exactly what I expected. Not bad at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am currently in my second plateau in 5 weeks. The first one hit at 3 weeks and lasted like 8 days.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No.
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