Kara M.

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Obesity & Me

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

I struggled with my weight my whole life. Like most obese people I tried every weight loss product available and spend $1000's on products and diets. I was depressed and had the typical weight related health problems. I was very unhappy and miserable in my body that I didnt enjoy life or my family and friends. I had given up on myself and thought that I would just accept the fact that I was fat and would not live to old age.

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

There was not one thing, basically it was everything, everyday, I was just miserable.

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

LIVING!

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

I saw the add for the introductory session in the newspaper. I attended 3 of these sessions over a course of 2 years before I finally decided to proceed.

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

I have Health Partners and they like other insurances have a and or stipulation that you must fulfill to be approved. I decided to do both, my file was quite large but I was approved on the first try in a matter of 4 hours!

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

I was in the hospital for 36 hours. I was asked if I was ready to go home and I said yes. On the drive home I almost turned around and went back. I should have stayed longer, but I am stubborn and wanted to be in my own bed with my own surroundings.

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

No complications!

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 very nervous and continually asked myself if I were making the right decision. I posted on the OH board and received support, also attended a local images meeting and tried to keep very busy.

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

I think the first week was horrible. I was in a lot of pain and regretted my decison. After the first week each day got better. I did take 6 weeks off from work, I am lucky and have a great short term disability program through my employer. This was by far one of the hardest surgeries I have had.

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

It is about a 30 minute drive to the hospital. Did not affter my aftercare at all.

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

I started walking immediatly after surgery. I increased the distance/time each day. By week 3 I was up to a mile and now I walk about 3 miles a day.

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

I take B12, a multivitamin, calcium citrate and biotin each day.

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 had some hair loss that lasted until about the 9th month, but I feel that is a small price to pay for my health. I used Nioxin products and took a biotin supplement daily. At 4 months I got a bad headache that last a whole month. Then it just went away. At 5 months I had 3 UTI's but have not had one since. I think all of this is from the changes I was going through from the rapid weight loss. I don't know why else I got these things and haven't had a problem since. At 5 months I was treated for an ulcer. The ulcer lasted for 8 months. It is gone now for which I am very thankful! I can eat almost anything; just have to watch the portion size. When I overdo it and I dump I get dizzy and then extremely tired. I have to take a 20 minute nap right now and then I am fine.

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

The waiting!

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

I attend a bi monthly Images support group. The MN OH support board is wonderful!

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

It is about 3 inches long. A small price to pay for my health back.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I was a slow steady looser. I never hit any plateaus on the way.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Of course they do, but I think it is because I had such a negative outlook on life that it was projected onto others and they therefore didn't always like being around me. Now I have such a positive outlook that I find people are always around me and treat me as I treat myself!
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