khamil65

Obesity & Me

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

High stress times at work increased snacking and not always good food choices. I can't believe how much I weigh and I have come to the point that I have to make a permanent change for the better and healthier "ME".

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

Physical limitation: out of breath, living with sleep apnea, clothes shopping a chore, limited success with restricted eating and not being happy with what I see in the mirror. Finally bought exercise equipment that I used 4-5 x's per week faithfully and one year later zero pounds lost (inches but still !) I have always yearned to see the skinnier version of me and wonder what she's like. I want to be healthier and be pro-active with my health moving forward.

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 without foot or back pain -- me and hubby and the dog go out at night and its a nice way to end the day !

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

I read about it in a newspaper article I believe and started to research in the internet. Very impressed with the success rates.

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

My insurance review took only 2 days and I am still in awe of how fast that was done. The best advice is to compile medical records to document your co-morbidities and include the documentation that your surgeon would require from Nutritionist, PCP, and psych evaluation.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Years of being overweight and very little success at taking the pounds off. This has hurt me from a self-esteem point of view as there are many days that I feel like I fight with my mirror. PLUS I want to have a healthier lifestyle !!!!!!!!!!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My surgeon offered LAP RNY which from everything I read is the best way to go for the most success.

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 have the same fears I did with having my Gall Bladder out 7 yrs. ago. But having had abdominal surgery I am not as freaked out with this surgery. I am focused more on the benefits of my health after. Of course I know the risks but the risk is the same for anyone my size for any surgery.

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 has and always will be my best supporter. My sister is all for the health benefit aspect but concerned about risks. My Mom & Dad are the slower ones to come around as they are scared; but they both know I am the type of person who does not voluntarily jump into a medical situation unless I have it all researched start to finish. I am hoping they come to understand the whole picture.

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

I have no intentions of telling my Employer the true nature of my surgery as there are many small-minded people there. I am only indicating that I am having surgery for some digestive issues and I will get a Dr. note outlining recovery time needed. I have enough time banked to take a month off. I sent an e-mail to him indicating the date of my surgery and expected recovery time. No one has asked yet but its still over 4 months away (2/28/03)

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

I was there from Thursday, July 10th to Sunday late morning. I brought underwear and pj bottoms but did not touch them as things were much easier in the gowns. Definitely bring your own toiletries if you want even though they will provide if you don't. I was lucky enough to be able to shower before coming home so having my own things helped.

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

Low BP from pain meds slowed down my ability to get out of bed but I caught up quickly. Hated the JP tube and removal was wicked and the catheter removal was pretty weird as well.

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 had the support of fellow patients and our support group and here ! I had xanax if I needed it but those feelings happened early for me kinda in the area after approval and date-set. I was ready !

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

The first Monday I was home I was eager to get showered and dressed to feel like "ME". I took it easy for the most part that first week but you do get stronger every day. I started walking at about 1 week post op which was great ! Once I hit week 3 I was feeling a lot like my old self (only better!)

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

about 1 mile. Dr does surgery at my hometown hospital and his office is only 10 minutes from me.

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.

So far so good with everything I have tried so far. We have 4 weeks liquid and 4 weeks soft then to regular diet.

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

I am now 7 weeks post op and have been walking faithfully since my first week home. I just joined Gold's Gym to get some more results and make the most of this tool !!

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

Childrens Chewables and 3 tums until I can tolerate pills in about 1 week from now (2 mos post-op)

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

Not staying ahead of my pain meds while in hospital and then having the JP drain removed. Other than that surgery was pretty uneventful -- thank goodness!

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

My surgeon has been running a Monthly group since March, 2003. The information and the peer support is vital !

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

6 little one inch scars and I expect they will fade out.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

First one at 16 weeks - stayed at 196 for 1 full week and then lost 1 lb. It was monthly related and that DAM halloween candy !!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I am definitely noticed more at 7 weeks post op and it feels nice !
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