lynikins

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Obesity & Me

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

I have been overweight most of my life and I have tried many things to lose weight. I became bulimic even. As i grew older, the diseases started. One after another until I was too sick to work anymore.

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

embarrassment in public by not fitting in regular chairs

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 can walk further than before with less pain. My backaches have almost stopped completely ,so I feel like doing things more often

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

I became friends with someone who had had the bypass and I was amazed at the before and after pictures. So I read up on the different kinds of surgery and which one would produce the most results for me

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

I have medicaid so finding a surgeon that would accept my insurance was the hardest part. keep at it and contact doctors yourself to see if they accept your insurance

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

I had to attend a mandatory seminar which I highly recommend. it explains all of the surgery options available and financing options as well. the head of the bariatric program at shands answered all questions at the seminar and I was surprised at how young he looked to be in charge of this department

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I did not want to live the rest of my life on the sideline because I was physically unable to participate. I wanted to get rid of most of my medicines and just feel better period

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I wanted one that produced the most results and had less opportunity to cheat on my diet

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?

I cannot tell you not to be nervous but it will be all worth it when you actually see the weight loss

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

I was in for 3 days and the visits I received helped me.

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

They had a problem controlling my blood pressure after surgery and none of my prior meds helped. they finally figured out that another pain med worked better for me

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 a little scared the day of my surgery because I got there at 6 am and they pushed my surgery back to about 1. I had more time to think and think somemore

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

Pain. But don't be discouraged. each day it feels a little better. I tried praticing my eating habits before surgery but it's nothing like the real thing. I have no hunger, just thirst. I found that my 2 favorite things are soups(very liquid)and cheese flavored instant grits. it's almost like eating b4 surgery and the warm liquid feels really good going down

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

30 miles but I found it really didn't affect my aftercare at all

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.

Bread is a definant no but no dumping problems with sugar. usually after one bite, I can tell if it is going to be okay with my stomach.

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

I feel like I have more energy and I don't sleep as much

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

I take a multi vitamin and calcium supplament twice daily

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 have had bouts of vomiting, usually of my own making. I eat too much, or too fast. but I am learning

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

learning how to eat all over again. I find myself wanting some of my favorite foods but I just can't tolerate them at all. and giving up diet soda. I miss it everyday

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

My scars are almost invisible. I was quite impressed with the minimal scarring

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am losing weight very slowly now but in a way ,that's good. my skin has a chance to catch up with my weight loss

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

actually, yes. I no longer get the stares in public and i actually fit in restraunt booths
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