Pammie2u

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  • BMI 37.7

Obesity & Me

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

I felt ashamed. I could not do fun activities with my husband and it was embarassing that he couldn't pry me out of a go-kart with all these skinny girls watching. I was mean to him because I thought he hated me like I hated me. I was depressed and alienated all of my friends and family members fearing what they would say about me.

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

My health. It was deteriorating fast. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, tachycardia, depression, heel spurs, knee/joint problems, sleeping, hygiene, tons of new meds, etc.

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

Walk without too much pain. I have lost 25 lb from my highest weight ever and 15 lb from my surgery date.

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

I found out on a web site after I heard an acquaintance was approved for Lap-Band through Blue Cross. The first seminar was so motivating and I could not wait. I had hope once again, although that was a roller coaster ride for two years, but it was worth the wait and endurance.

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

DON'T GIVE UP AND FOLLOW-UP! That is my two main very strong suggestions. Keep calling and checking and verifying they have everything they need. I was denied twice because they didn't have my sleep study and once because they didn't have the pictures I sent, etc. My husband took up the task because I sort of gave up and he helped me over the finish line.

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

I was afraid that he would tell me that I was not "overweight" enough to get the surgery. In comparison to some of his patients, I guess I wasn't, but my health problems were horrible. I knew I couldn't go on with this quality of life.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I developed severe sleep apnea and quit breathing 104 times in one night with 64% oxygen level. I had heel spurs, arthritis in knees getting worse, arthritis in great toe, plantar fasciitis, kept buying bigger clothes, got made fun of at work and tired of all the remarks about my weight, backaches, anxiety attacks, heart palpitations and tachycardia (one episode put me in the emergency room with 225 bpm heart rate). I couldn't go on living this way.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Actually I was afraid of dying with the gastric bypass. I was also afraid I would lose too fast and too much and would not be able to digest vitamins, etc. I felt lap-band was a much safer and slower route for me. I wanted help and not rearranging of my parts that God gave me. Gastric bypass was just not for me.

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?

As the time got closer, I got really scared that I was going to die. I didn't talk to anyone who had the surgery and don't live close to anyone in my area. I didn't know about all the support and websites until after my surgery. I heard a lot from people who knew people at my work that loves just sharing the bad, but the seminar in Birmingham is what pumped me up and gave me the confidence I needed. I listened to others who just had surgery and realized everyone was different and these two doctors had a very high success rate with Lap-Band. There were 100's of people attending seminars.

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?

My mom and sister were jumping up and down for joy because I quit visiting them and didn't want them to see me fat. My husband was tired of watching me try to walk and also I wouldn't let him touch me or see me undressed. I was alienating everyone in my family. They all worked hard to help me get approval and prayed I would get it. My sister begged me to be able to go with me to support me. My picture with my sister is on my profile. They were all very supportive.

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

My boss said great, "how long are you going to be out?" He was just concerned about my work while I was out. He didn't seem to care one bit that I was undergoing surgery or how important it was to me. I had surgery on Thursday and went back to work on Monday.

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

I was treated with respect and as they cared about me. I thought I might be another piece of meat on the chopping block, but each person seemed to receive the exact care as the first or last one. One guy (nurse) in the OR right before I went to sleep said this when I asked him if I was going to be sprawled out naked with my big belly showing because I am really shy and don't let anyone see me naked. He said they would only uncover the part that needs work and that they would treat me the same way that they would want to be treated. I just absolutely loved that answer. I went in at 10:00 am and went home at 3:00 p.m. The nurses and doctor was terrific and very reassuring. They gave me pain meds when I asked and I drank water and walked before leaving. It was a breeze. I never threw up once.

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

I had no complications whatsoever. I really expected some, especially throwing up for a while, but I could swallow, didn't throw up once and walked just fine before leaving...oh yeah, went to the bathroom too. St. Vincent's Medical Center East in Birmingham is the "bomb"....that means good...tee hee! They are all great, support groups and everything.

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 had no anxiety at all. I was so surprised by the ease of it all. I did experience a lot of depression but don't really know why. I thought I would jump up and down for joy, but I was depressed and sad. I guess my entire body was going through some changes. My thought process about food has changed and my taste has changed and I don't have the desire to "pig out" anymore when I do feel anxious. No more emotional eating. I have changed my priorities and I believe this is going to be the best decision of my life. It will just be slower than I realized. But I am trying to remember I did this for my health, not for looks.

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

It was nice. My husband waited on me hand and foot. I did not want to drink water and my stitches bothered me, but I just drank elixir and took a lot of naps. My husband also made me walk 30 minutes a day (10 minute increments) so I did not get trapped gas from the surgery. I did not and he can't helping me by bringing me little drinks of water. I really had an easy, easy recovery process. But everyone is different and our bodies react differently and depending on what meds are taken, etc., each person will respond differently, but at least you will know it is possible for this surgery to be a breeze. I got depressed I think because I was unable to swallow the big pills I previously took so my emotional health was recovering as well. Also that is so minor compared to physical problems.

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

I traveled 1.5 hours for the best. There are two local doctors that perform these surgeries but I work at one of the hospitals and I did not feel safe with some of the "bad reports" I heard and did not trust them to perform my surgery. That is why I waited so long until I found out about the doctors in Birmingham, AL and then I realized this dream could come true for me.

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 am two weeks postop today. I just got on soft foods and have been on a liquid diet for two weeks. The first three days is clear liquids only and day 4-14 is full liquids. Your body and stomach inside have to go down (swelling) from surgery and your body cannot handle the amount and as fast the intake of food/liquids. I stuck to the diet and if you do that, you will do great. Just don't do anything except what they tell you and you will have success. I didn't want to drink the amount of water and sometimes failed to get that amount in each day, but I learned to just hold a bottle close to my mouth and sip constantly, which helped. I could have SF popsicles and jello and juice without sugar and 100% juice. You have to watch your protein and carbs. The doctors or hospital will give you a list of items you can have and you can find a ton of info on this site, chatrooms, etc. I am sure you can find tons of diet plans for preop and postop surgery.

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

I have walked only. Very slow and broken down in 10 minute increments. No strenuous activities or high aerobic activities. Just slow walking and I slacked off a bit once I got back to work and got back into the stress of things. I also had oral surgery 4 days after my lap-band surgery so I had to lay around with stitches and take pain meds again for 2-3 days. But I had to get the implants over with and since I was delayed on my lap-band, I ended having both close to Christmas.

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

Just Centrum chewables. I also bought Viactiv because of my age and because they are chewable, but for some reason I have not been diligent to take them. I hope to quit my job soon and work from home and get on an exercise and more healthy lifestyle. I want to get organized and reprioritize my life and put what is important in the forefront. Stress, work outside the home, is just not that important anymore. God, family, home, and my health is on the top again.

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

Going to Birmingham once a month is great. All the postop patients meet before the people who are looking into surgery for the seminar comes in for an hour testimony period. The postop patients get up and tell their story to the seminar participants and then at the end the potential candidates ask the postop people questions. I did not want to speak but out of everyone that does speak, someone tells your story and answers your questions.

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

I am not happy with my incisions or scars. I am rubbing Mederma on them and was a little surprised at the big sideways incision and big staple holes right in the middle of my stomach. There goes my swimsuit issue....ha. I am hoping it don't look as bad later as it does now. It drained a little bit and I got worried but the nurse looked at it and said it was fine and actually looked good. There was no bleeding coming from it.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I did not lose like the other ones that had surgery around the same time as me. One girl told me it was because I didn't have as much to lose as the others so not to get depressed if I didn't lose at the same rate of speed. I got really sad when I actually went up a couple of pounds but I had oral surgery and didn't drink my water, or exercise, or do what I was supposed to do....and also my "friend" came to visit....LOL. So each person is different and our bodies are going through different things but after listening at support and chatting on this website, I learned that EVERYONE goes through a plateau. I guess your body holds everything hoping this is a temporary "another failed attempt at a diet" and hoards what you do put it in. It will eventually start falling off again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Haven't been out much except for work and I have been told by a few supportive people that I looked good and they could tell I lost weight in my face. It was nice. It has only been two weeks.
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