rita L.

  • BMI 48.4

Obesity & Me

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

up and down the entire gammet of diets, programs, medications, anything to lose weight for YEARS. professional guidance by physician to seek out bariatric help after one year with him to try medications, caloric intake and exercise again. emotionally drained after years of weight gains,losses eventually taking toll on my health.

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

not finding clothes to fit and the summer months. the summer brought humidity and uncomfortableness in daily situations such as walking, swimming etc. with family.

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

n/a

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

friend had it done after i actually was looking into it. my dr. brought it to my attention. 2 family members had it soon after i started looking into it unbeknowst to either of us. and all have had great results!

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

no problem. we work within a team approach is used with dieticians, nutritional counseling, etc. and the surgeon's team did all the work after my initial referral from family physician.

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

pretty formal. she was prepared for questions. i had very few as had been waiting and researching on my own. do your homework and come prepared with questions for the surgeon.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

my girlfriend had it earlier this year and has had great success. if she can do it so can i. that and losing 40 lbs last year to regain it all after hurting my self in a fall and losing the ability to exercise for a while.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

open due to number of bmi

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 had a great amount of respect for the surgery, the surgeon and myself but at the last minute, i was scared of dying and began doubting myself. i spoke to family members that i trusted and worked through it.

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?

most were surprised and supportive. my husband was not sure felt i could do on my own and came around after months of my committment and going to support group with me. we have close friends who have had surgery and are doing well too. that helps.

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

i told my employer that i needed surgery and would be out most of october. they required a statement from surgeon of length of recovery. that is it. i plan to be out most of october and into november if need. some close colleagues do know however.

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

i was in thursday and out sunday. it was ok. i expected better care but half the time didn't have the nurses call handy (on the floor) and the telephone was not within reach. thanks to my godchild in bed next to me, she took care and called them when i needed care. but they were really caring once they found something wrong. also, care around the clock was great. they really didn't realize what i wanted half the time unless lisa called them (stuff like iv beeping)

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?

only been 8 days so far!

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

home one week so far. hungry and calling my dietician about drinking more and stuff. sore, very sore.

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

less than one mile.

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.

sorry. not much help here.

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

days following were down and out. pain, felt like someone stepping on my stomach. but on 6th day, i felt sooooo much better. sat up, napped and walked. walked actually since first day! i much promote this!! it helps with breathing and getting better faster.

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

calcium, daily mutli (chewable) 1x per day each.

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?

nauseau right after surgery due to pain meds and then nauseau medication only, sleep right now etc so far.

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

so far after only 8 days: just pain for a few days and sleeping at night.

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

monthly support groups on different days. VERY IMPORTANT!!

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

24 staples and about 7 in. from right under my breast bone to just above my belly button. i expected lower and not to intefere with my bra but IT DOES.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

not yet.
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