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Obesity & Me

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

I have been battling weight my entire life. I remember my first diet being at the age of 7, and now that I look back on it it is the same age as my son is. It is a terrible thing to have to have been on a diet at that point already. I ate all my life for comfort, and to help me get thru some rough times. I had a pretty hard childhood and food was my best friend when I needed it, and it was always there for me. It never left!

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

Not being able to run after my kids, being terrified to take my kids to Disneyworld and thinking wether or not I would fit on the rides. My kids are my entire universe and I feel like my weight was hurting them too, because they didnt have the mom that they deserved. The stares are the worst too, and the snide comments that somepeople make.

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

Walking, Walking, Walking, and playing with my kids. I can go non-stop for hours now and not tire. Its amazing

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

I had heard about it a few years back in people magazine. Of course there were some pretty terrible stores and complications and this scared me a great deal. After doing some research though on my own I discovered that more often then not, there arent any serious complications and that people go on to loose all the weight they have to, to make them healthier.

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

My stay was amazing. The staff at Guelph General were the best I have met. They were caring and compassionate. I was in for a total of 3 full days. Make sure you bring a housecoat but not one that is too heavy. I sweated like a pig in there cause they keep it so warm. Also make sure you bring plenty of books, magazines, crosswords and slippers too.

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

No not at all, my surgeon said that my surgery was easier then expected and they were done fairly quickly

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 didnt have any anxiety. If I did, I dont think I would have gone thru with the surgery. My family was and is so extremely suportive and w/po them I could not have made it this far. My feeling after getting my surgery date was one of elation, I hadnt been so happy and excited in a long time.

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

I felt really good. A bit sore at times if I overdid things but otherwise felt good. The liquid for the first month is really really difficult. When you are used to being able to eat whatever you want to and all of a sudden you are on clear broth and jello, it is a huge change, mentally and physically.

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

It was just a 25 minute drive

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.

I have had a real aversion to milk. Not lactose based products as I am fine eating a small amount of cheese and plain yogurt. The fruit yogurts really make me ill, and we think its from the sugar in them. For about 2 weeks I could not stand the smell of any meats. Therefore I lived on cheerios and fruit salad. That stopped after the 2 weeks and I slowly introduced meats again, but since then I have had no problems. I still cant really stomach beef as it is way too heavy on my pouch. Another thing that suprises me is that I find everything so terrible salty. I ask others that are eating the same things as me if they find it salty, and most of the time they do not. Also I don't crave fast food anymore. I can go to McDonalds and get lunch for my kids, and I dont miss eating it at all. Occassionally I will order a salad with grilled chicken, but I would never order a big mac or fries again. Its amazing to be able to go into these places w/o drewling..lol

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

I have a suport group that meets in toronto area. These people are amazing and have been a huge part of my success. Ifyou have any questions about anything, the responses from people are amazing. I really appreciate every single one of those people. They are wonderful. I believe it is extremely important to attend a group meeting once a month. Keeps your head in the right place I think

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

My sugery was done Laproscopically, so I have 5 tiny little lines, and are starteing to fade already.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have had many, and they are so frustrating. One in particular I had just last month lasted almost 2 weeks. It didnt matter what I did, or how much I excercised it didnt seem to help. Evwntually the scale started moving again, but it was very depressing to have it sit and occassionally go up for a couple of weeks

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Umm, not really, other then the fact that they cant stop talking about how amazing I look. Well thats how they percive it. I am still having a hard time getting used to this new shrinking body, and some days I feel like I am 341lbs again.
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Before & After
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