Peggy P.

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Obesity & Me

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

Lifetime of dieting and gaining - until finally just gave up and assumed my only choice is to be fat. But my health issues made me look into the surgery.

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

Aside from high blood pressure and heart problems ---- Not fititng into seats in restaurants, busses, trains, planes, fitting through turnstiles.... just not fitting period.

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

no problems on airplanes, in theater seats, restaurants, not afraid I will break chairs, I feel normal. Very active - I work out 3 days a week - went to a conference where I had to walk and stand a lot and had no trouble at all. Can go up and down stairs, I am no longer afraid to get up and move and do things. I really have my life back

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

my friends initially a few years ago were all racing out to have rny - and I watched as they had varying degrees of successs and problems. It felt like a very drastic step to me and I didn't want to have to take it. But now that lap band surgery is covered - and my increasing health concerns - I decided to do it.

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

It will have taken about 5 months to get through the whole process - 3 months were spent getting psych consults, nutritionist and getting paperwork moving through the system. The last two months - were my own choice - so that I could lose a bit and be ready. My advice is to be patient but stay on top of where your paperwork is and make sure it continues to move. Follow up with phone calls to see if people have submitted letters etc.

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

It was about 3 hours of meeting with the staff, dietician, nurses etc in addition to my surgeon. I was prepared because I had already done a lot of research on the procedure and had my questions ready. He was very candid and they all explained everything very thoroughly.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I am turning 57 in a month and despite my dozens of efforts I have not to this point been able to lose weight and keep it off. i am not getting any younger. My health in now starting to be compromised by my extra 150 pounds and I wanted to get this while I am still healthy enough to do well. This is literally the last stop on the block for me.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

Lots of research. The lap band has the lowest mortality rate and the fewest serious complications. Although people don't lose as fast - the loss rates after a couple of years are comparable. And it is reverseable - if I really can't tolerate it or there is some huge complication. It just made the most sense.

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 haven'tever had surgery before so I do have some fear about dying or having some complications - but my surgeon has never lost a patient. The odd of death are probably lower than driving on a typical day in Los Angeles. As far as complications are concerned. I am prepared to deal with them - but there are relatively few that are that serious. And finally - my chances of becoming very ill as a result of my weight are VERY HIGH if i don't do something.

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 family is VERY supportive. (Probably as a testament to how serious they seem my weight problem!)In fact i was shocked at how encouraging they were. I have had some negative response from several friends but this is my body and I have to do what's best.

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

My immediate supervisor is very supportive and I have scheduled my surgery for a time when I am off work.

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

great - the staff was very attentive and sensitive - I felt like I was in great hands the whole time. I was there over night My robe was fine - didn t really need anything - glad I had my cell phone with me.

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

No complications - anesthesiologist said it was a little hard to intubate me - but they managed and I did fine. the doctor said my live was big and it was a good thing I did the liver shrinking diet before hand.

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 pretty much went about my life and tried not to dwell on it - getting on the message boards helped me do a lot of research and gave me a place to ask all my really dumb questions and that went a long way to keeping my anxiety down. I also found that prayer and reading my bible and listening to inspirational tapes was helpful as well.

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

only been home three days but so far I have needed to take some tylenol, walk, drink my fluids and take gas x for the gas and bloating which is the worst part - I wont be going back to work for two weeks but today ( 2 days later ) I was able to go to the mall, the grocery store etc and do all my regular errands. I could easily go back to a light job within a couple of days.

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

used the oh help line - that was help enough

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

very small - actually smaller than expected

Please describe any plateau experiences you have had since surgery.

maybe two plateaus - but not for very long - maybe a couple of weeks

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

yes -- lots of compliments and attention
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