Gail O.

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Obesity & Me

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

I ate because I didn't love myself and I feel the emotions I was feeding with food made me feel whole. Food was my life.

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

Not being able to do things you need to live,breathing, walking and just feeling very sad now my looks and how to keep living with all this weight.

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

Breathe,walk, cross my legs, do house work, have neater clothes and playing with my grandkids and one thing get out of the house is very important to me too. And not weighting more than the scale goes.

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

On computor, did a lot of reseach on WLS. I was fearful but my PCP said He thought I needed the WLS in the worst way.

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

I would advice to get and keep copies of everything you submit to insurance.

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

I had 2 surgeries within 7 months. the meetings were Ok, The only thing I would have do more resheach on my frist doctor.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I needed it to live

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Doctors suggestion.

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?

My journey was filled with bumps But I would do it again.

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?

All just said it was my decision. My 2 daughters & SIL were very supportive. My OH family were there offering so very much support.

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

N/A

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

I was treated very well, always having a nurse or tech checking on you. I stayed 5 days. I suggest your own pillow, some walking shorts to wear under your gown & walking shoes.

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

I did have many complications. They were addressed in many ways.

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 sick and back in hospital. I was taking an anxiety meds.

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

I think everyones expections are different and 1st 3 weeks was back in the hostital.

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

I get a lot of support from OH Indiana board. And see a counselor 1 time a week.

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

I had open RNY my sacr is fading and I use a lot of lotions. Yes it was what I expected.

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

Just keeping the same weight for about 2/3 weeks.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

Yes family members seem to watch when I eat and always asking how much I have lost.
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