Darrell H.

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Obesity & Me

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

I always felt I could lose the weight at any time. Every time I lost some weight, I would gain more than before.

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

The worst thing for me was not being able to be active with my family and with my job. The thought of an early death though is what really got be concerned.

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

Wear normal size clothes and sit in normal size chairs.

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

I first heard about bariatric surgery on TV. I thought it was too drastic of a measure and that I would never need the tool.

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

First time several years ago I was denied. This was funny because the denial was based on it not being medically necessary.

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

Very informative and eye opening. I knew I was making the right decision.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

Weiging 470 pounds.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Just knew RNY was the best procedure for long time results. I really wanted the dumping syndrome.

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?

Some early mainly because I had never had surgery of any kind. Family helped out though especially my kids.

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?

Most were behind the decision 100% even if they were concerned. One cousin was against it.

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

They were completely supportive.

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

Had surgery on Wednesday and left on Friday. My experience was great. Theonly real pain and discomfort was from the drain tube.

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

None. My surgeon said everything went perfectly. He complimented me on my pre-op diet.

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

Only 15 days notice from approval to surgery date. There wasnt enough time to get too worked up about it, but I was excited for the most part.

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

I got home from the hospital on Friday and was back at work for the 1st day of work on Monday. I am also a football coach so I had to take it easy outside, but everything went well.

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

About 130 miles to San Antonio.,but for aftercare, my surgeon has an office 30 minutes away from my house.

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

multi-vitamin 2 per day, calcium 1 per day, iron, 1 every 3 days. B-Complex 2 per day. B-12 sublingual 1 per day.

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?

No side effects at all (not even dumping)

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

No bad parts

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

Go see surgeon once every 3 months

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

small scars, not bad at all.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

no major plateaus yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Oh yes. People talk to me all the time now.
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