kaja91

member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo member photo

Obesity & Me

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

It was a constant battle for control. I would variate between totally controlling every calorie I ate in conjunction with constant exercise, and total lack of control over my eating. I gave up on exercise and control because they never seemed to help me be more than just an obese person with good stamina. I tried for so many years to do the right thing - eat right and exercise, but it was simply so difficult for me to maintain my weight, never mind try to lose it, that I eventually gave up all together. I began to eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted. That's when I began my downward spiral. I became an emotioal eater, as well as a bored eater. I'd find myself eating most of the time, and I'd justify it by telling myself I had earned it after so many years of deprivation. I was depressed, and I felt disgusted with myself.

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

Not being able to do the things physically that I wanted. I had a hard time keeping up with my toddler, and felt tired almost all the time. I hated not being able to do simple things like tie my shoes and cross my legs.

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 enjoy everything now. I have so much more energy (even witht he two children). I love to swim, and dance. I go dancing as frequently as possible - sometimes once a week. I enjoy going for long walks. I love chasing my kids around and rolling around on the floor with them. I love being able to cross my legs, and tie my shoes without any problems.

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

I finally broke down and asked my doctor if there was something more intensive that I could do to help me lose weight. I had been going to the gym for years, I had a personal trainer, AND I had been seeing a series of nutritionists for almost ten years. He was the one who suggested bariatric surgery... I remember the very last thing he said to me before leaving the office. It was, "I think you're doing the right thing." I was initially taken aback at the prospect of such a radical surgery, and such a radical change in lifestyle. I discussed it at length with my husband, and decided to call the number my doctor gave me. When I went to the hospital that hosted my program, I remember leaving after the first meeting and finally feeling as though there was someone out there who understood! I wasn't alone anymore!

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

The most important word of advice: KNOW YOUR INSURANCE. Know how it pays, find out what services are covered benefits under your plan, and find out if certain procedures need to follow a medical policy guideline. Make sure you follow the rules of your insurance plan. Pleading ignorance will not get your bills paid. Before I tried for insurance approval, I found out that there was a weight-loss surgery medical policy. I requested a copy of it, and found that I met the policy's guidelines. I was approved on the first try because I followed the rules, by getting the appropriate referrals, and made sure there was sufficient documentation that I met the MP guidelines. If WLS is not covered under your plan, find out how you can get individual consideration based on your medical history. Don't quit.

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

The first visit with my surgeon was very fast-paced. I was in and out of his office within 10 minutes. He went over my medical history, asked me a couple of questions, and told me he thought I was an excellent candidate for the procedure. He said his secretary would call me to book a date. It all happened so quickly, that I forgot to ask my questions. If you can, write your questions down before going into the office, that way they're right in your hands.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Having my daughter forced me to wake up and face reality. I was so exhausted just trying to carry my own weight around all the time, that I never had the energy to really chase her or play with her. I didn't do anything around the house. I got up in the morning, went to work, came home and sat on the couch until I got up to go to bed. I was so miserable with myself. I felt like a horrible parent.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor reccomended the laparoscopic procedure for me because I'm young, and female. He said womend tend to carry their weight through the hips and thighs, thus making lapro-surgery easier than on men, who tend to carry weight in the belly. I did have surgical complications, so I wound up having the laparoscopic procedure and the open procedure. Some people have all the luck!

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 didn't have many fears about surgical complications. I just felt that this was my last chance to really change my life. Fears are valid. I was a bit worried about the anesthesia because I have asthma, and I was worried that my lungs would be too weak, but I never imagined that I might die from the procedure! Well I did have complications, and I did come a little closer to dying than I'm comfortable admitting, but I would have the surgery all over again tomorrow, even after everything that I've been through. The complete change in my quality of life is proof enough that I made the right decision.

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?

Most people were very supportive of my decision. I didn't keep it a secret from my friends or coworkers, and found that I was very overwhelmed by how many people truly cared for my welfare. I wouldn't change a thing. I think my openness and honesty then and now enabled more people to be made aware of obesity and the medical and social problems it can cause. Everyone I know is so completely supportive of me now, too. I feel very loved.

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

My employer was very supportive. I work in the health insurance field, and the company is very aware of the financial impact that obesity has on the health care industry. I was out of work for seven weeks.

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

I was in the hospital for just under three weeks. As I said, I had complications and was not ready for release. The stay in the hospital wasn't great. I didn't see my daughter the whole time I was inpatient. I didn't want her to be afraid, and I knew that I couldn't have her bouncing on me. The hospital was also busy, and it was sometimes difficult to get the help I needed from the nursing staff. All I wanted was to get out.

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

I did have complications. There was a small leak in my pouch and I was leaking digestive fluids into the rest of my body, causing sepsis. I had to have open surgery within hours of my first surgery. My asthma also complicated things. I had an asthma attack sometime before my second surgery and the doctors put me on prednisone to control it. Unfortunately prednisone also slows the rate at which we heal. I woke up from the open surgery with all sorts of drains and tubes all over the place, and I had a G-tube. I wasn't allowed any food or drink by mouth for over a month after my surgery. I developed a wound-site infection, and had to have the staples removed from the lower half of my incision. It was packed with dampened steril gauze and changed twice a day to allow the wound to heal from the inside-out. That took a long time. I just tried keeping a positive attitude. It was frustrating because I am young and wasn't expecting such complications. I got up and started walking around the moment the doctor told the nurses I could. I tried to stay independent without pushing myself too far. Even with the complications, I knew I had made the right choice, and for me the only thing to do was look forward.

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

I was on daily multivitiamins, and calcium supplements. Now I also take an iron supplement.

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 really only had two side effects from the surgery: hair loss and dumping. The hair loss started about 6 months post-op, and lasted for about 6 months. It really wasn't that bad. I lost a lot of hair, but I had a lot of hair, so it wasn't noticeable. I got my hair cut short to reduce the loss. The dumping I still have if I'm not careful. I don't tolerate sugar very well, or very starchy foods like instant mashed potatoes and regular pastas. They make me feel very ill, I shake and get sweaty. Fortunately, I look at this side-effect as a good thing. I'm not tempted to over eat these foods, and who really needs a whole lot of sugar or starch anyway? Now I just eat within my limits and only have a small treat every now and then.

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

I wound up having several small scars which have faded and are barely noticeable (I think about nine total scars that are as small as quarter-inch "dots" or as large as a half an inch in length). I also have a long scar that runs from just below my ribs to my belly button. It is thicker and more noticeable than the others, but it also has faded over time, and it's a straight line. I'm not at all self-concious about it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I lost weight vigorously the first six months. I lost almost 100 pounds within that timeframe. My weight-loss started to slow, and I plateaued at about 9 months post-op, having lost about 140 pounds total. I got pregnant about a year post-op, and gained a little weight during my pregnancy (11 pounds total). After my son was born, I had a difficult time losing that weight. I maintained my weight, but didn't lose any more. When he was about a year old, I started to slowly lose weight again. I slowly lost the 11 pounds I gained during my pregnancy and about an additional 25 pounds. I am currently maintaining my weight with very little variation, and have been for nearly a year. I've lost a total of about 170 pounds now.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

People do react to me differently now. My oldest friends are used to the transformation now, but sometimes still make comments. My newer friends and peers have never known me any other way. The general public is much friendlier. I get approached very freqently by people I don't know. People seem much more open to me now. I tell my friends I feel like my outside finally matches my inside.
show more answers

ARE YOU READY TO PAY IT FORWARD & SHARE YOUR JOURNEY? Your journey will help highlight the many ways weight loss surgery improves lives and makes a difference in our families, communities and world. EACH JOURNEY COUNTS as a voice towards greater awareness.

Share Now
×