sdsnunley

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Obesity & Me

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

I think I tried every diet there ever was. I could lose about 30 lbs and that would be all. Then I would gain it all back plus about 5 more pounds. I was so frustrated, and just not happy with myself anymore. I was a failure to myself.

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

Not feeling good at all or being able to keep up with my daughter.

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

Shopping !!!

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

My mother and sister have both had the surgery( years ago ) and I never thought I would have to go through it. I saw my mom and sister with a lot of success and thought I could do it too. I was never scared.

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

My husband is military and I didn't have any problems with insurance. My Doctor had no problems with getting this approved.

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

My stay was pretty good. I had surgery on a Tuesday and went home late Thursday evening. I was so ready to get out. I didn't feel like doing anything so nothing important to bring except for clothes to go home in.

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

No complications at all.

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 great. I was very excited.

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

I actually felt pretty good when I got home. I was able to sleep in my own bed! Most people sleep in the recliner, but not me. My husband (he was great, by the way) would prop pillows up under me to sleep and that mad it much easier for me.

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

My doctor is here in the same town, so travel was not an issue.

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

I went back to work after 2 weeks. I now wish I had taken 3 weeks to recover. I think I went back too early. But I could make it up the steps at work the day I went back without giving out of breath. That was a really great feeling.

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

I take a Pre-Natal Vitamin, Vitamin C, B-50 Vitamin and Folic Acid (my hairdresser suggested this).

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 lost my hair about 4 months after surgery. This lasted about 2 months and then it started coming back. I'm doing alot better now.

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

learning to eat again was probably the worst part for me. Trying to figure out what will work for you and not work. Never give up try it again later on if it is something that you could not eat at first.

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

I attend a monthly support group here on base and love to go. I also have several friends that have had the same surgery and we talk alot. So if I have questions they can help me out.

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

I had the Laproscopic so I have about 6 little scars and most of them are not noticable. I think you can only see 2 of them about 1/2 inch long.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

I have not noticed this at all. I never really had any problems before surgery either.
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