AMANDA F.

Obesity & Me

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

IT WAS ANY EVERYDAY STRUGGLE OF NEVER FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR LIFE.

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

NEVER FEELING GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF AND THE FEELING THAT PEOPLE WERE STARING AT YOU BECAUSE YOU WERE FAT.

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

EXERCISE, SHOPPING FOR CLOTHES

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

I AM A NURSE. I THOUGHT ABOUT IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE I REALLY STARTED RESEARCHING IT.

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

mY SURGERY WAS ON A THURSDAY MORNING AND I WENT HOME ON SUNDAY.I HAD NORE PAIN THAN I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HAVE BUT AFTER SATURDAY, I WAS FEELING MUCH BETTER.

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

NONE

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 WOULD START TO STRUGGLE IN MIND WITH THINGS AT THE END OF EACH PROGRESSIVE DIET STAGE. I WOULD FIND SOMETHING TO DO AROUND THE HOUSE.

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

YOU HAVE TO GET UP AND MOVE AROUND. IT WON'T GET BETTER JUST SITTING AROUND. TRY TO FIND SOMETHING TO OCCUPY YOUR TIME.

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

20 MINUTES

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

IT SLOWLY BEAGAN TO INCREASE. I AM A NURSE AND I WAS BACK TO WORK IN 2 WEEKS.

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

PEPCID TWICE A DAY CHEWABLE CHILDRENS VITAMIN TWICE A DAY LIQIUD CALCIUM TWICE A DAY COROMEGA ONCE A DAY--(ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS) JUST STARTED BIOTIN ONCE A DAY

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?

AT ABOUT 3 MONTHS MY HAIR STARTED FALLING OUT AND NOW I AM AT 4 MONTHS AND IT IS STILL FALLING OUT.NAUSEA ONLY WHEN I EAT WHAT IM NOT SUPPOSED TO EAT.

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

I USUALLY USE THE INTERNET--I STAY BUSY SO ITS HARD TO GO TO A GROUP MEETING

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

THAY ARE NOT REALLY BAD

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

about 4 1/2 months out I stayed at 150 lbs gor about 3 weeks.Then I lost 7 lbs in a week. I am now at 136 lbs. I have lost 104 lbs and yesterday was my 6 months post op ann.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NO
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