Heather H.

Obesity & Me

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

My emotional battle with my weight has gone on since I was 3 years old. The kids at school used to tease me and years of teasing stuck in my mind. I ate for comfort. I had control of eating anything I wanted. My Mom would comfort my feelings with cookies. I learned at a young age to eat and eat to hide my feelings. All of my life I have battled the bulge. At age 30 I couldn't take it anymore. I was depressed, I wanted to kill my self, I was almost 400 pounds, I couldn't buy clothes in store anymore, I couldn't breath walking.

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

Looking in the mirror and not recognizing the person looking back at you. Feeling so hurt and angry at myself for being so fat and looking so ugly. I felt sad and angry all the time. Haveing the steering wheel of my car hit my stomach when the seat was all the way back.

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

I love going shopping, I love feeling my husband arms around me when he holds me I love walking and exercising I love living everyday to it fullest, I did nothing before the surgery, now I have gone back to college to finish my degree, I go to college 5 days a week, work at a wonderful hotel 3 days a week, I get up everymorning at 7am instead of 1pm before sugery. I love life

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

I saw that Carnie Wilson had it done on TV. I was curious and thought I will never have that done. I can do it myself. I was wrong

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

My stay at the hospital was wonderful. I had the surgery at JFK in West Palm Beach. The nurses and aids were awesome. I was in the hospital 4 days The most important thing to bring is a bathrobe, so you can wear it when you walk with the therapist in the hall way and comfortable slip on slippers. I brought pictures from home so I wouldn't be so home sick for my puppies and animal (We don't have kids yet)

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

I didn't have one complication

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

The weeks after the surgery were the toughest part. My stomach was so large that the doctor put sutchers, staples and plastic tubbing stuff to hold it all together. The skin on my stomach tried healing over the plastic which was very painful, My surgeon kept me comfortable with pain pills. I had a huge support system with my mom, dad, and husband, so they tried everything to help me cope with the situation

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

I live an hour and half away from my surgeon, so I have support online

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

My scar is from my belly button up to the end of my breast bone, it is fading nicely, I rub lotion on it. Expect the scar to take time to heal and protect your stomach and wear your binder as long as you can

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am having a major platear now. I have not lost anything in 3 months. I am still doing what I need to do and hoping for the best. I can tell I am loosing inches though and my weight is redistributing itself in my body

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

people are more friendly, maybe its because I feel so outgoing now and kept to my self before and never wanted to talk to anyone
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