Cynde G.

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Obesity & Me

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

I was and had always been an emotional eater or just a big ol eater

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

The looks I recieved at being 367 lbs. Not being able to do things with my kids without having to sit every few minutes.

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

SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!!! Going out and playing with the kids!!!!!!!! SEX with my darling husband

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

My mom had wls in the 70's. and although it was done totally different at that time, it has always been a part of my life.

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

My experience with getting approval was very easy. I did not have any problems with it. The doctors office did everything for my submittion.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

With all of the health problems I had, I had to do something.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I knew I wanted the RNY done by lap.

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 not supportive of it at first. He was afraid that once I lost my weight I would " upgrade him" I told him we needed to work on our marriage if that ishow he felt. Once he understood how unhealthy I was, and how depressed I was, he became my #1 supporter.

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

My employer at the time was totally supportive of my decision.

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

My stay at Atlanta Medical Center was awesome. I was there overnight, and the staff was wonderful and considerate of my needs.

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

Yes, I have had some coplications from my wls. (07/25/07) I have had to have an internal hernia repaired, stuture granulomas repaired, and my intestine straightened out where it was strangling itself.

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 felt like what have I done!!!! Food was my best friend. I learned how to recognize my bodys way of telling me you are hungary or not hungary.

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

It is very difficult. For me, I did not cook for the family. My husband had to do that, and when they did eat, I was not in the room.

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

20 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.

following my surg, I was and have not been able to tolerate Milk, which I loved. I have discovered at 22 months out that although something may not make me dump today, it may cause me to dump tomorrow. This is an ongoing adventure, and always will be.

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

My activity level following surg was as best as can be expected following surg. Over the coures of a month, I was back up to speed, and have gotten faster ever since.

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

protein,vitamins,b-12,calcium,iron

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?

The worse side effects following my surg was not getting enough protein in and being tired from that. Also at around 4 months out, I began to loose my hair :(

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

Waiting for my date to arrive

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

I attend the Southside Support Group meetings ar Henry Medical Center, online friends for support and family for support.

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

Awesome!!! Since having my wls performed by lap, I can hardly see my scars.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

The most plateau experiences that I have are not loosing for a month or so, then it kicks back in.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes, people seem to look me in the face now instead of at how big I was.
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Before & After
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before photo after photo

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