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Obesity & Me

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

I have always been very heavy. I was always told that I would always be heavy because of my genetics. I tried diet after diet to no avail. I started getting sick around age 19-20. Finding out that I had Hypertension, Sleep Apnea, Asthma, GERD, and Type II Diabetes. The edema throughout my body was rapidly increasing and then everything hit at once. That's when I turned to a few friends who had the surgery and made an appointment with Dr. Wood of the Cori Centers. Best decision of my life!

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

I'll give you 50: MY TOP 50 REASONS TO LOSE 100+ POUNDS! 1. To stop comparing my body to anyone elses, because I know I did my best. 2. To never set foot in plus size stores again. 3. No more dirty looks from people in restaurants, whether Im eating a salad or dessert. 4. For my thighs not to rub together. 5. To be able to cross my legs, and be comfortable. 6. To sit on my husbands lap and not squish him. 7. To be able to wrap a towel all the way around myself. 8. To be able to love clothes shopping. 9. To be able to do outdoor activities and not be overly tired. 10. To be able to go to an amusement park and fit into ALL the rides. 11. To wear cute matching underwear sets. 12. To show my belly button while Im still young enough. 13. To be a PERSON on the beach instead of a beached whale. 14. For nothing on my body to jiggle 5 seconds after moving. 15. To be given the same chances and opportunities as everyone else. 16. To be an outdoorswoman and enjoy all my favorite activities. 17. To have a closet full of clothes that fit and dont look like tents. 18. To look on the outside how I feel inside. 19. For my husband to be proud to show me off. 20. To have more energy and sleep better. 21. To swim in a public pool without scaring children. 22. To know that I have the willpower and guts to do the hardest thing in my life, lose all the weight. 23. To wear clothing sizes that doesnt contain neither double digits or Xs. 24. To look irresistibly adorable in everything. 25. To take luxurious baths with ALL of me under the water. 26. To go horseback riding without feeling sorry for the horse. 27. To go to parties and other social functions without being ignored because Im the fat one. 28. Having the chance to be skinny and (popular) and seek out those (unpopular) FAT individuals and include them in my group. 29. So no part of my body can be nicknamed for food. 30. To never see that look on peoples faces when they are embarrassed to be talking to me. 31. To be able to take my fat jeans and hold them next me and be able to fit two of me in there. 32. To wear a strapless/backless anything. 33. To have a little black dress. 34. To wear normal bras again. 35. Not having to always remember to suck in my tummy. 36. So that Lose Weight is never one of my New Years resolutions again. 37. To walk up a flight of stairs (or anywhere for that matter) without getting short of breath. 38. To feel pretty, dainty, and feminine all at the same time. 39. To know I was stronger than FAT, and that I WON! 40. To really live my life to the fullest. 41. To be able to encourage other people who are trying to lose weight and say look what I did, and you can do it too. Ill help you! 42. To have more self-confidence. 43. To wear a bathing suit without the shirt. 44. To finally know how it feels to be thin. 45. To prove everyone wrong who said I couldnt do it. 46. To show that I am not a lazy slob. 47. To maybe just once catch a guy checking me out. 48. To never have to worry if my shoes are wide enough. 49. To be less shy and more outgoing. 50. To get piggyback rides and not have my husband feel like he has an elephant on his back.

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

everything! I am only 25 and lived my whole life a fat person so this is all new to me. I've never been skinny before! It's amazing I can do anything with no fat restrictions any more

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

I found out a long time ago, but I always thought that was a last option. Until I had co-workers who have had it. I seen how much it improved their lives. So I said if I get any bigger I will die by my 25th birthday. So I had surgery 2 days before that birthday.

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

I had no problem with insurances I was a perfect candidate and my insurance covered it 100 %

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

Long and very informative. Ask any and all questions you might have!

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

All the health problems getting worse and my weight just soaring!

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

My friends who had the Sapala-Wood Micropouch, I wanted the best and Dr. Wood is it.

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?

We are all going to die someday so having the surgery I know prolonged my life and I kept saying that over and over 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?

Most were supportive others were skeptical, the only thing I asked of them was if they did'nt agree don't judge me. I had to do what I had to do.

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

They were very supportive and understanding. I was out of work for 9 weeks.

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

The hospital stay was nothing 2.5 days and no complications.

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

Not really just with the epidural for pain they put it in wrong.

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

Scared more than anything! I'm always that 1% so I thought I was going to die on the table. My strength came from my mom and husband because without them I never would have made it!

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

Expect alot of depression at first. Food is such comfort and you have to let go. Look ahead to all the things you were unable to do and sonn you will be able. Follow dr's orders completely and if you have any questions make sure to call on all of them!

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

Not far 1 hour at most.

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 couldn't eat any solid foods for the first month. So just sugar free popsicles and jell-o. After that I was told to start with very soft foods (puree) and move up as my pouch allowed. Even today being 7 months post op, I can eat just about anything but I do not eat steak, rice, pasta, bread, corn or anything with refined sugars.

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

I was up walking the halls the night after surgery. When my staples came out I did everything but lifting since that was restricted.

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

I take chewable multi vitamins and get my protein from foods and some supplements

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've never thrown up or dumped. The hair loss was inevitable but it has gotten better.

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

The drains were bad they had to peel me off the ceiling after they took it out.

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

My after care is still being followed by my surgeon. It's been a real help being able to call the dietician anytime I need to.

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

My scar is nasty from my breast bone to belly button. Its hypertrophic and ugly but I have my health and that is all I care about!

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

none yet

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

You bet, but actually it makes me sick that I have to be skinny to get treated with respect. All the men who now hold doors when before the turned and pretned not to see me or laugh and giggle as I walked by.
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