princess3375

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Obesity & Me

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

I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL MY EATING UNTIL I WAS IDLE. I WOULD EAT OUT OF BOREDOM, SORROW, ANGER ETC. IT DIDN'T HELP THAT I LIVE WITH SOMEONE WHO IS A TRUE CHUBBY CHASER AND KNOWS ALL OF MY FOOD WEAKNESSES.

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

NOT BEING PHYSICALLY ABLE TO DO ACTIVITIES WITH MY FAMILY.

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

MOST RECENTLY BUYING A HALLOWEEN COSTUME OFF THE RACK

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

I WAS SCARED BECAUSE OF THE HORROR STORIES, BUT MY HEALTH WAS DETERIATING AND I WAS GOING TO DIE EARLY ANYWAYS. IT WAS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE.

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

IT WAS STRESSFUL, JUST MAKE SURE YOU DOT YOUR I'S AND CROSS EVERY T.

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

IT WAS OKAY. I WAS ONLY IN PATIENT FOR ONE DAY. FAMILY (SUPPORT SYSTEM) IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO BRING TO THE HOSPITAL.

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

I STRUGGLED AFTER SURGERY. I DID NOT BELIEVE MY RECOVERY WOULD BE SO LONG. I AM NOT ONE TO SIT AROUND AND WASN'T PREPARED FOR THAT ALTHOUGH I WAS TOLD OF MY RESTRICTIONS IN PRE-OP. I JUST DIDN'T THINK THEY APPLIED TO ME I GUESS.

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 WAS MOST SCARED ABOUT ANESTIA. I DID ALOT OF PRAYING.

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

GAS!!! THE FIRST WEEK WAS HARD BUT AFTER THAT YOU RECOVER QUICKLY.

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

HOME TOWN

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.

SOMETIMES I WONDER IF I HAD THE COMPLETE SURGERY BECAUSE I CAN ALMOST EAT EVERYTHING I DID BEFORE SURGERY AND I AM ONLY 3 MOS OUT. I CHOOSE NOT TO EAT LOST OF FOODS THOUGH BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GOOD FUEL. THE FULL LIQUID STAGE WAS THE WORSE FOR ME. THE ONLY FOOD I HAVE FOUND THAT MAKES ME FEEL UCKY IS FRIED FOODS. ISTOLE ONE OF MY HUSBANDS CHICKEN FINGERS AT ZAXBY'S ONE BITE AND I WAS DONE FOR.

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

I WALKED AND WALKED SOME MORE BECAUSE I WAS SCARED OF BLOOD CLOTS. I GOT TIRED REAL EASILY FOR A GOOD TWO MONTHS. I AM 3 MONTHS OUT AND I CAN KEEP UP WITH MY BUSY SCHEDULE AND HAVE MORE ENERGY NOW THAT I WORK OUT REGULARLY.

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

CALCUIM, B12, MULTI AND 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?

I AM LUCKY TO DATE VERY LITTLE NAUSEA (NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE ME NOT WANT TO EAT) NO VOMITING OR DUMPING. I SLEEP BETTER THAN EVER BEFORE. I ALREADY HAVE SOME HAIR LOSS BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE A THYROID AO WHO KNOWS THERE.

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

THE FIRST TWO DAYS AFTER AND COOKING DINNER FOR MY FAMILY FOR THE FIRST 4 WEEKS.

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

I HAVE NOT MADE IT TO SUPPORT GROUP BUT I READ ALOT OF POSTS ON OH

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

THEY ARE STILL RED AND THICK. YES, I KNOW I TAKE A WHILE TO HEAL.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

NO, NOT FAR ENOUGH OUT I DON'T THINK.
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