Liz B.

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Obesity & Me

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

Like most of us- my whole life I have been overweight. Never really was attractive the boys in school etc... I was in weight watchers at 13 and in the end joined about 8 times. It works but not forever.

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

Not fitting in, always feeling ugly and wanting to just feel pretty.

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

Shopping! Walking without running out of breath. Intimacy with DH. Shopping. My son fell asleep NEXT to me on the couch. He never fit before!!

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

The news! I was intrigued and wavered about it. Probably because of the drastic nature of WLS. Then I found the band :)

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

Please read my profile. It is a pain. But be organized with medical files, keep on top of your dr and their staff. PATIENCE!!

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

It was great. I was there a few hours. Just comfortable clothes.

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

None

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 will admit it was worse than I thought. It hurt more than I thought and it was harder to get around.

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

It was just uncomfortable and made me think I was misled! :) Just take your time and within 2 weeks you will feel 80% better! Then it just gets better and better each day.

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

10 miles each

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.

I have had to eat slowly and follow my dieticians rules. I added things in little by little as instructed.

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

I was able to goto work 3 days after surgery.

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

Protein drinks is it!

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?

None really.

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

THE WAITING FOR APPROVAL!!!

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

This board and going to my surgeon.

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

I have little ones. They are dark right now but I know they'll fade.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

N/A so far!

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Its a mix of loving what I look like and them complimenting me. I don't feel better liked or more loved or anything. I think we are all proud of me!!
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