Mahala Hethorn

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  • BMI 31.2

Obesity & Me

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

I've struggled with my weight all my life. I've had anorexia, bulimia, to spiraling out of control with emotional eatting. The more I ate, the more I gained. The more I gained, the more depressed I'd get. So, I'd just eat more. It was a never ending battle. One I saw no end to. I ended up weighing 342 lbs. I lived as a shut in, because I was too embarrassed to even leave my house. I was a prisoner in my own body.

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

The isolation, and feeling so alone, and no one understanding.

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

Oh where to begin... I can wipe myself. I can tie my shoes. I can cut my toe nails! I can shower and wash every area. I can climb stairs and not feel like dying. I can take jeans or shorts straight from the dryer and put them on and not have to FIGHT to get them on. I can wear a pair of jeans my husband bought me 5 1/2 years ago, that were just a little too snug, and I thought I'd lose into them in no time... all these years later, and NOW they fit perfectly! I can pick things up when I drop them. I can swim, I can walk, I can play with my daughter. I can live again!!

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

My sister had surgery 6 years ago, with amazing results. I wanted those changes in MY life!

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

My first experience was with Humana, and they totally excluded it. It was heart breaking to finally have insurance, just to discover, they wouldn't cover this for me. My husband took a huge pay cut and changed jobs for the insurance with BCBS Anthem, that easily covered my surgery, with a 200.00 co pay! My advice is to follow up! Make calls your self to the insurance co and make sure things are getting done. CALL CALL CALL!

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

I was in Northeast Baptist Hospital in San Antonio. They were so nice. The beds were HUGE, and the wheelchairs also. They have a special bariatric unit, and the nurses were all very nice and caring. I was in there for 3 days. Make sure to bring something very comfortable to wear home.

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

I've had no complications at this point.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

The only thing that I was anxious about was knowing, with any surgery, there is a chance one might not make it. I have a young daughter at home, and it was so hard for me knowing, there was a slim chance, that instead of telling her mommy is just fine... some one might have to tell her, mommy didn't make it. This was sooooo hard for me. I made sure to the best of my ability with her age, to inform her, it was possible something could happen. I wrote her a long letter, just in case. I made sure my family all knew my wishes for her care if anything went wrong. I think making sure you have as much peace of mind as possible, the better. I prayed, ALOT! But I knew, this was something I had to do, not only for me, but for my entire family. Living so isolated, and being unable to participate in her life the way I wanted to. I wasn't being a great mother to her. This has helped me in so many ways, but it's helped my whole family! I'm alive now in ways I've never been before and we're all happier, and healthier!

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

ALOT of changes. pounds are dropping off and it's amazing! There can be, even in the first few weeks, early plateuas. Things you loved before, just the smell might make you sick now. Something you eat and do fine with one day, may be horrible the next. It's never ending. You constantly change.

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

Sadly I have not been to a support group meeting yet. I have a close friend that had the same surgery as I did, one week after me, and we talk almost daily sharing and caring for each other. I need to get more active in support groups. I know as I go along, I'm going to need advise and help along the way I'm not getting now.

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

I had laproscopic surgery, so I have 7 small scars in various areas of my abdomin area. They are waaaay better than I expected!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I have hit soooo many plateaus. Or hibernations. Starvation mode. Lots of pretty names that all means, no weight is coming off! Usually I up my protein intake, and my calorie intake and it starts coming off again.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes. I still have a long way to go, but afterlosing 100 lbs. I can see a huge difference in the way people treat me, and look at me. At my daughters school one day a woman asked me, what I was doing to lose weight... she said, "you're disapearing before our eyes!' lol I loved that moment!!
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