anna_zeus_mommy

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  • BMI 38.7

Obesity & Me

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

I wasn't happy with myself but didn't really care enough to try hard to lose weight

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

The looks and ridicule you got from people and having to worry if you would fit in a seat or not being able to ride rides.

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

Playing with my little girl and having the energy to keep my house cleaner.

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

My friend had it done and I was very scared of it at first.

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

Luckily my insurance company approved it the first try and things went very smoothly

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

My surgeon was very very informative. He encouraged my spouse to come to every visit and sat down and talked to us about why we wanted it and what to expect. He was very thorough in his explainations of how the surgery is done and what to expect afterwards. He has been fantastic post op as well.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I wanted to be around for my daughter

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My doctor suggested Rou-en-y and he didn't do lap band at the time. I had open procedure.

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 would say fears are normal. I was terrified of dying and leaving my little girl. None of my family know this but I even wrote letters to my daughter, husband and parents as well as had a list of what was to be done if I died having the surgery or after. Luckily when I got home I got to tear all those up without them ever knowing about 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?

My mom was very against it. She didn't want me to have it done so I gave her all the information I could find to read on it. My dad didn't say much but he has been so proud of me since I have had it done. My husband has been and will be my biggest supporter. That means alot especially in the first couple weeks. He goes to the support group meetings with me when he can and has really been there for me and is very proud of me. My mom is very proud too she was just scared.

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

I wasn't working

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

I had surgery on a Monday morning and came home on Thursday morning. My doctors were great and the care was pretty good. I think one of the most important things to bring is your own pillow. It is so much easier to rest with your own and gripper socks so you don't fall.

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

To date I still haven't had any complications I am very fortunate

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 had so much going on at the time I really didn't have time to think about it until 2 weeks before. Then the anxiety and fear of the what if's and the unknown set in. I really tried to focus on the positive part of the surgery and not think about the negative

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

I guess I was different but I didn't have that much pain. I was up walking around and doing things within the first week. I had 24 staples and once they came out I was doing great. I had some soreness but not really alot of pain

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

Less than 5 miles at the time

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.

I haven't found anything yet that I can not eat. Of course I don't push it very much. I was on phase 4 diet at 3 weeks out

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

I tried to be pretty active we sold our house and had to move and I couldn't lift but I packed all the boxes and everything so I feel I was pretty active

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

Flintstones complete, Pepcid Complete. b-12

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

I have 2 different support groups that are local and I try to make them both. Before surgery they were very informative and after surgery if you have a problem chances are someone in there has been through it and will be able to help you know what to expect.

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

It is from the bottom of my breast bone to my belly button and still a little red but it has only been 5 months. It was actually better than I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

I am 5 months out and have lost 100 pounds so far I haven't hit a plateau

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have always been a people person so I haven't really noticed much except I get more positive looks now.
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