vegasmommy314

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Obesity & Me

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

I was changing in small ways. Not just in size but my personality. I started to not answer my door or my phone as often I did not want to hang out with friends, go to mom groups or family functions. I thought I was just fed up with people. Maybe getting cranky as I was getting older. I used to go to the store in jeans and a pony tail. After the pounds pilled up I would not leave the house unless I had a full face of make-up and hair perfectly done. I thought it was the only way society would accept me.

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

The sadness, the shame, embarrassment, the fatigue, the constant feeling that everyone is looking at you.

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

Cross my legs! Gosh where do I begin? Amusement parks, clothes, sitting on my DH's lap, playing in the Mcdonald's play place. I can go longer and not get tired and my feet and knees don't hurt. I just enjoy every thing! I enjoy life again!

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

A coworker had a RNY and I did not even think she was that big. I am bigger than her. She ended up being a size 6. And the thought never escaped my head from that moment. She did have many complications with ulcers mostly because she smoked. But I don't sooooo I started to really pursue it.

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

I have had terrible luck with CIGNA. They don't cover anything and their co-pays are too high. I have opted to find the least expensive surgeon I could find and finance the cost. I am going with Dr. Alverez from Mexico. The cost is 10,000. And I am happy with the reviews he gets from his patients.

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

The first time I met him was about an hour before my surgery. I was well informed and therefor had little questions.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I had to do something. I was miserable and thought that surgery was the only answer for me. I did not want to struggle any more and I knew without surgery I always would.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lots and Lots of research and talking to many people who have had different surgeries.

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?

Well first of all the whole thing was very surreal. I never thought that it would actually happen, so I just felt lucky to be there actually going for it! I was too excited to be scared. I felt like of all the people I would be the one with the complication, but NO.... All went well

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?

Before the surgery they would say "but you"re not that big" "why do you want surgery? Just eat better" Once I had the surgery and they watched the weight fall off and my personality come back and how much happier I was and healthier they could not stop telling me how proud they were and how glad they are that I did go through with it!

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

I was there overnight. It was great I got anything I asked for.

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 just could not stop smiling in disbelief.

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

I was not in any pain. I felt really good, but I was so hungry! I felt like I could have died of hunger. I am so glad that went away about week two.

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

I went to Mexico from Las Vegas. I am sooo glad I did! With my surgery you do not need much after care so I was not worried about it.

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.

The first time I had corn was about three weeks out and It hurt my chest for about 10 minutes. The first time I had chicken for dinner I had to throw some of it up. I did not realize that chicken was so dense and ate too much too fast. I never made that mistake since. The first time I tried frozen yogurt was about 5 months out and I had to throw that up too. Any time I drink milk I feel a little icky so I don't drink it.

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

More than before surgery , but still not a lot. I don't workout much. I am always trying to be more active.

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

A multivitamin, B12, biotin, calcium, folic acid

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?

Hair loss!!!! I have always gotten compliments on my hair so it was hard when It started thinning around month 5. I am now in month 7 and it is not much better. I have black hair so it looks worse because you can see the white of my scalp when my hair parts. I usually try to fill it in with some dark eye shadow.

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

morning the loss of being able to drown my emotions with food. I still really enjoy food, but I can not eat enough to give me that flood of calmness that washes over you when you over eat. I started to transfer my addiction to shopping, but being self aware that quickly went away. So now I take a bath, a walk, or get on my elliptical. I am still working on this one.

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

I have had no after care.

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

It is better than expected. I thought it would bother me but they are so small that it really does not matter.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Month one, three, four, six...... I think I have been a slow looser but it is nice to hang in there and finally see it move.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

My neighbors seem to talk to me more. I think I might be more approachable now. I am happier with myself so I am more confident and more willing to talk to people.
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