LissyDee

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Obesity & Me

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

Basically, I lived to eat instead of eating to live. My whole day was focused around what I was going to eat and how I was going to feel while eating it. While eating it, I felt wonderful! Afterward, guilty, depressed, and tired!

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

The worst thing about being overweight is the complete and total lack of energy and the inability to do the things that should be easy without putting forth some pretty major effort! For instance - taking a shower should be a relaxing and refreshing experience. For me - before the surgery - it was a major chore! Sure I did it everyday because I had to - but I really had to talk myself into it some days!

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 enjoy taking a shower (before it was a chore)! I enjoy getting dressed! I enjoy walking around the mall/grocery store/amusement park! It's a world of difference, and I can't wait to see what exciting doors my surgery opens up for me in the future as I get even closer to my goal weight!

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

I've known about bariatric surgery for a very long time. Probably since Roseanne Barr had her procedure. I never really thought that I would consider it. It seemed drastic and scary. The truth is - even after surgery - it is drastic and scary! But it is also exciting and very much worth the "weight"! :-) Initially I had decided on the lap band, but my bariatric surgeon convinced me that gastric bypass was the better way to go for me.

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

My experience with my insurance company was very positive compared to some of the "horror stories" I've heard from others. I have UPMC Health Plan. They have published guidelines for being a candidate for weight loss surgery. I simply followed the guidelines - a six-month supervised diet, pre-op psychological testing, etc. The surgery was approved for me without any hesitation.

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

My stay in the hospital was miserable - not because of the hospital itself or the staff. UPMC St. Margaret's is a wonderful facility! It was miserable because I was in pain, itchy from the anesthesia and pain medications, and uncomfortable!!! I was there for two days and couldn't wait to leave. The most important things to bring to the hospital (in my opinion) are your cell phone (and a charger for it), your laptop (if you have one and the hospital offers WiFi access - which mine did), comfortable clothes (better than the hospital gowns!), and a wonderful person to stay with you (my aunt stayed with me and her presence was such a comfort and help!).

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

The only complications that I have had so far (at seven weeks out) is two strictures from my esophagus to my stomach pouch. A stricture is basically built-up scar tissue that forms as a result of your body "over-healing itself". They were miserable. I threw up a lot and couldn't hold much of anything down. Both times I became dehydrated and had to be hydrated at the ER via IV fluids. The fix was easy - an upper endoscopy with dilation. It's a very simple procedure, and they give you really good "forgetta juice" so that you don't remember a thing. The dilation just involves stretching the stricture back out. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes 3-4 stretches before it remains open. I've dealt with two. I'm hoping that is all it takes, but that will remain to be seen.

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

At first, I was very excited when I learned that I was approved. The anxiety I felt was mainly the "what if I don't wake up" variety. I have a 9 1/2 year daughter, and I'm a single mom. The "not waking up" thing haunted me for weeks. But, in my heart of hearts, I knew that I was doing this for my daughter. She deserves a healthy, active mother that is going to be around to help her raise her children one day and possibly even hold her grandchildren!

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

The first week was miserable. I slept a lot. Give yourself the time to rest. Don't try to do too much. The second week got better, and I felt like getting out of the house some. I became tired really quickly though, so I would advise everyone not to go too far from home. Go on quick outings to relieve the boredom, but keep this in mind - you may feel like a million bucks on the way out the door, but if you do too much while you are out, you'll walk back in feeling like a penny. I went back to work the third week (mainly because I had to), and it was tiring - but I made it. Ideally, I would advise everyone to take 3-4 weeks off of work if that is an option for them.

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

I use ObesityHelp.com for my main support system. I keep intending to make it out to the support group meetings for my surgeon's patients, but it hasn't happened yet. I think OH (ObesityHelp) really gives me a sounding board and keeps me going. It is, at times, a life-saver!

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

I have five very small incisions. The largest of which is about an inch and a half long. The smallest of which is about a centimeter. They are red and sometimes purple, but very, very smooth. I don't expect them to stay forever. I'm only seven weeks out, but I definitely have hopes that you will hardly see them once I'm a couple of years out from surgery. This is pretty much what I had expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I've had a couple already, and I'm only seven weeks out right now. It seems to me that your body will lose so much weight, then say "hey hold on - what's going on?!" and stop. I've already plateaued for a week, then "BOOM!" three or four pounds disappear overnight never to return again. Lesson learned - don't be discouraged by plateaus. They are your bodies way of adjusting to the changes.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Some people are very supportive, and others have become the "food police". My pet peeve is the "food police". The worst offenders are the ones who think that they know something about the surgery. My surgeon's partner put it to me this way, "People think they know a lot more than they do. Follow what we tell you, and don't worry about other people's surgeons or experiences."
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