AnitaMcD

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Obesity & Me

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

I could lose weight but could never maintain it. I would gain the weight back and more. My self-esteem has been my main issue. I know that people tend to treat you differently when you are "morbidly obese". I know with WLS I have a better chance with the incentives along the way to keep me going.

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

Buying clothes and just feeling disgusted about myself.

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

Too early to tell yet, but my goal is to ride a horse; go to Magic Mt. Clipping my toenails is easier at this point. I feel my clothes are definitely bigger on me.

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

I went to my first seminar in 2006. It was more on the RNY side and to me, more scary and drastic.

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

2006: When I decided to go through it, our insurance had me see a doctor for 6 months - he put me on Meridia. After that, our insurance changed and it wasn't covered. I tried dieting again by myself for the next 3 years (2009). Scheduled to go in on my birthday 4/20 - I woke up from the surgery only to find out they removed my gallbladder and told me to return in 18 weeks. Two days after the gallbladder surgery I got a job. I couldn't ask for 6 weeks off for RNY, so a year later (7/20/10) I had RealizeBand surgery. My approval was very quick since I am now Type2 Diabetic and have high blood pressure. It took less than a month for my approval under my current job. I say, document your medical history to see if there's more decline each year and make that a point.

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

Since I chose the Realize Band, this was considered an out-patient. I checked in at 2pm, had my surgery at 3:30pm, I went home at 8:30pm.

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

So far, 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 felt excited and relieved that it didn't take long. I was preparing my new life ahead.

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

I was fine. A little slower, but I only took 4 days off work (Tues.-Friday) plus the weekend; then returned the next Monday.

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

I have been trying to find a support group that just relates to the band. So far, a majority of people continue going to group meetings for RNY. Maybe a few newcomers will attend just to see. I find the issues and concerns relate only to the RNY patient.

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

It is abou 2 inches to the left of my breast bone. I do feel the port there and sometimes when I bend a certain way, I can definitely feel it. I have the other small cuts and they are healing just fine.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

This is the odd thing. I have been "following the book" since the surgery (7/20; today is 9/6). Exercise 30 minutes each day, having the 60+g protein, etc. I lose about 5 lbs. the 2nd week (alternating weeks). During the 1st week, the scale doesn't move, the following week, 5 lbs.? I would feel better if it was 2 lbs. per week.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I'm just about 6 weeks out; 28 lbs. lost. I think it's too early to tell still, but I feel some people respect my efforts every day.
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