Bill K.

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Obesity & Me

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

After losing both parents to lung cancer eleven years ago I quit smoking. I replaced that addiction with food and alcohol. In a short time I went from 240 to 425.

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

The physical toll on your body. I had both knees wear out, compression fractures in my spine, borderline diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, and blood clots that nearly killed me. I could no longer function sexually, almost lost my marriage and my life.

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

Where do I begin? No more apnea, diabetes, blood clots, hypertension and other physical issues. I got my love life back, and most of all the ability to enjoy life. No more special order clothes, no more social ostracism. I can exercise, and love life, and myself, again.

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

Watching a special on Carnie Wilson. I was scared at first.

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

I didn't have any problem, but this was before the insurance companies got tough.

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

Three days, bring your wife, husband, someone for support.

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?

Excited! Scared, happy, I coped with the anxiety by reading profiles on this site and talking with people who had the surgery done already.

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

I would call it a recovery and adjustment period. Expect pain, a sense of loss, and lack of energy.

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

100 Miles, no.

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.

Anything with sugar (processed, not fruit) and red meats give me trouble. Sugar gives me cramps and the runs, red meat just gives me pain. It has been a year and a half and I stick to chicken, fish, veggies, and fruit.

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

From none to physical therapy, to the gym, and now I do just about anything a skinny person can do! Once I get my knees replaced watch out world! I no longer have time for the PC and the internet and TeeVee... Too active! (-;

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

calcium, vitamin B, multivitamin. I also took actigall for six months

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?

My hair got thin and painful, but the worst was the adjustment to eating healthy. I am still adjusting. After four years, my hair is still thin, and my fingernails are brittle, and I still cannot tolerate sugar.

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

The cost, and the emotional battles that followed. Make SURE you know that this surgery is not a panacea, that a lot of hard work will be required, just as in traditional weight loss. This is just a tool.

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

None, but I wish I had.

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

I had lap done, so I have six lumps. (-;

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Six months, just recently soming down again. I was eating too many carbohydrates.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes, a lot better.
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Before & After
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